Sri Lanka fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana suffered a left calf strain during the recent ICC T20 World Cup 2026 match against Australia. The right-handed pacer, Sri Lanka’s main death-over option, will miss the rest of the tournament and his absence is a major blow to their bowling plans in the Super 8 stage.
Matheesha Pathirana sustained the injury on Monday, February 16, in Pallekele. He bowled just four deliveries before leaving the field. After his fourth ball, Pathirana immediately went down clutching his hamstring. The Sri Lankan physio checked him and he later walked off the field without continuing to bowl.
Matheesha Pathirana ruled out of remainder of ICC T20 World Cup 2026
According to Newswire.lk, Matheesha Pathirana has been ruled out of the remainder of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup due to a left calf strain.
Left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka is seen as the frontrunner to replace Pathirana. Binura Fernando and Nuwan Aldushara are also being considered, while all-rounder Milan Rathnayake offers an alternative with both seam bowling and lower-order batting depth.
“Sri Lanka fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana has been ruled out of the remainder of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup due to a left calf strain, although Sri Lanka Cricket is yet to make an official announcement. His injury has forced the selectors to reassess their options ahead of the Super Eight leg,” the report said.
Sri Lanka are considering bringing back Wanindu Hasaranga into the T20 World Cup squad
The report added that Sri Lanka is considering reinserting Wanindu Hasaranga into the squad later in the tournament. He has not yet fully recovered from his hamstring injury, but the team is discussing whether he can return if his condition improves over time.
“Sri Lanka are also exploring the possibility of reinstating Wanindu Hasaranga into the squad. Although he has not yet fully recovered from his hamstring injury, discussions are ongoing as to whether he can return to fitness later in the tournament,” the report said.
With their final group match having little bearing on qualification, Sri Lanka have the flexibility to wait. They want to assess Hasaranga’s recovery and keep their replacement options open ahead of the Super 8 phase.
Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out of 2026 T20 World Cup after hamstring injury
Wanindu Hasaranga was ruled out of the 2026 T20 World Cup after sustaining a left hamstring injury during Sri Lanka’s opening match against Ireland in Colombo. The 28-year-old played a key role in that match, which Sri Lanka won by 20 points, before an MRI scan confirmed the injury.
Hasaranga remains Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler in the T20 format. He has taken 40 wickets in T20 World Cups at an economy rate of 6.01.
Sri Lanka started their campaign with a 20-run win over Ireland at the R. Premadasa Stadium. They then recorded a 105-run win over Oman, followed by an eight-wicket win against Australia, sealing their place in the Super 8 stage.
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