A calf strain has put Dushmantha Chameera, Sri Lanka’s premier short-format quick, out of the Asia Cup. A member of the Sri Lanka team management told ESPNcricinfo that Chameera picked up the injury “three-or-four days ago” and will not recover in time for the Asia Cup.
He is, however, expected to be fit in time for the T20 World Cup, to be played in Australia in October-November. No replacement has been named yet.
On Saturday, Chameera was named in Sri Lanka’s 18-man squad for the Asia Cup despite not completing a full recovery from an ankle injury. At the time, it was understood that Chameera would be given as much time as possible to regain full match fitness.
Chameera’s absence will put additional pressure on an inexperienced Sri Lankan seam-bowling attack at the Asia Cup. Their fast-bowling contingent now has Dilshan Madushanka, Pramod Madushan, Asitha Fernando and Matheesha Pathirana – all uncapped in T20Is – with allrounders Chamika Karunaratne and Dasun Shanaka as part-time options. Binura Fernando and Kasun Rajitha are also unavailable because of injuries.
Their spin attack, however, wears a more potent look, with Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama and Jeffrey Vandersay in the mix.
Sri Lanka’s campaign begins on August 27 against Afghanistan in Dubai.
More to follow…
This article was originally published by Espncricinfo.com. Read the original article here.