SL take brunt of injury blow

Sri Lanka have been hit by injuries to key bowlers as they named their 15-member squad for Asia Cup 2023 yesterday.

Leg-spinning all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga is among four key Sri Lankan players who will miss the Asia Cup due to injury.

Pacers Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Madushanka and Lahiru Kumara are also missing from the squad due to injuries. Binura Fernando and Pramod Madushan were late inclusions in the squad to replace the injured players.

Kusal Perera, returning after a hiatus of two years to the ODI squad, is still recovering from flu according to a statement from Sri Lankan Cricket and will join with the rest of the squad once he recovers.

Meanwhile, India suffered an injury setback as 31-year-old stumper-batter KL Rahul was ruled out of India's first two Asia Cup games, including the showdown with archrivals Pakistan on September 2.

Rahul will be assessed again on 4 September, before the start of the Asia Cup Super Four stage, according to India coach Rahul Dravid.

Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanaka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Janith Perera, Kusal Mendis (vc), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Matheesha Pathirana, Kasun Rajitha, Dushan Hemantha, Binura Fernando, Pramod Madushan.