Sri Lanka’s star pacer Matheesha Pathirana ruled out of T20 World Cup 2026 due to a calf strain. Team explores replacements as knockout stages approach.
Sri Lanka has suffered a huge blow in the T20 World Cup 2026 as their premier fast bowler, Matheesha Pathirana, has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to a calf injury. The pacer sustained the injury during the match against Australia on February 16, leaving fans and team management concerned about his absence.
Pathirana went down clutching his left leg after bowling just four deliveries and was unable to continue for the rest of the match. Subsequent scans confirmed a calf strain, which is expected to take several weeks to recover, effectively ending his participation in the ongoing T20 World Cup. However, there are no indications that this injury will affect his participation in the upcoming IPL season.
Sri Lanka Weighs Replacement Options
Former India batting coach Vikram Rathour, serving as Sri Lanka’s batting consultant, confirmed the severity of Pathirana’s injury ahead of their final league match against Zimbabwe. “He has been declared unfit for the rest of the tournament. The team is still discussing potential replacements,” Rathour said.
Sri Lanka has several options to fill the void left by Pathirana. Left-arm pacers Dilshan Madushanka and Binura Fernando are strong candidates, while pace bowler Nuwan Thushara could also be called up. The management is also exploring spin-bowling alternatives and potential batting reinforcements to strengthen the squad for the remainder of the tournament.
Impact on Sri Lanka’s Campaign
Pathirana’s absence is a significant setback for Sri Lanka, who relied on his pace, accuracy, and wicket-taking ability to provide breakthroughs in the powerplay and middle overs. His unique sling-arm action and ability to bowl deceptive yorkers made him a vital component of the Sri Lankan attack.
With the knockout stages approaching, Sri Lanka’s management will now have to reassess team balance and strategy to compete against strong sides such as India, Pakistan, and Australia. The replacements will need to step up immediately if Sri Lanka hopes to maintain its competitive edge in the T20 World Cup 2026.