T20 WC: SL replace injured Eshan Malinga with Pramod Madushan
What's the story
Sri Lanka have announced the replacement of injured pacer Eshan Malinga with Pramod Madushan for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The decision comes after Malinga suffered a shoulder injury during a recent bilateral series against England. The injury forced him to miss the third T20I and raised doubts over his participation in the tournament.
Injury impact
Malinga suffered shoulder injury during England series
Malinga's injury occurred when he bowled the first ball after a rain break in the second T20I against England. He grabbed his non-bowling shoulder after releasing the ball, collapsed during his follow-through and missed out on the third T20I as well. Meanwhile, Madushan has been selected as a replacement for Malinga in Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup squad.
Player profile
Who is Pramod Madushan?
Madushan, a medium-pacer, has played 13 ODIs and eight T20Is. He last played a T20I in April 2023 but could now earn a spot in the playing XI. As per ESPNcricinfo, he recently played for Sri Lanka A in the Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament, taking four wickets in two games at an economy of 7.5. Madushan will strengthen a pace attack led by Matheesha Pathirana and Dushmantha Chameera.
Tournament outlook
Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup campaign
Sri Lanka will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland at Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium on February 8. The co-hosts, led by Dasun Shanaka, are hoping to repeat their 2014 triumph when they lifted the trophy. Earlier, Sri Lanka had recalled Kamindu Mendis and dropped Dhananjaya de Silva from their 15-man team for the tournament.