Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has called up Mohamed Shiraz and Eshan Malinga to the ODI squad as injury cover for Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka ahead of the three-match series against India starting August 2. All three ODIs will take place in the R . Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Pathirana, one of Sri Lanka’s most astute bowlers in recent times, suffered a shoulder injury during the third and final T20I against India in Pallekele on Tuesday. The youngster’s fielding effort at deep back point saw him leave the field holding his shoulder.
Since the incident took place in the seventh over of the innings, the right-arm pacer had neither skipped an over at that point nor rolled his arm over in the innings. He will miss all three games.
Dilshan Madushanka, meanwhile, suffered a left hamstring injury (grade 2) while playing during training.
Shiraz, who is yet to make his international debut, has impressive figures in List A cricket. The 29-year-old has taken 80 scalps in 47 games at 17.52 apiece. Malinga has not played any internationals either.
Sri Lanka looks to bounce back from the series sweep in T20Is
Meanwhile, the island nation suffered a humiliating 3-0 sweep in the T20I leg of the white-ball series. India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, won all three matches despite the hosts being in a strong position in all the matches. The home side lost 9/30 in the opening match, followed by 7/31 in the next.
However, the most disappointing performance came in the third T20I when Charith Asalanka and Co. at one point were 110-1 and chasing 138. With six runs needed in the last over, India managed to force a Super Over. Sri Lanka once again underperformed in the Super Over, losing two wickets for two runs.
Suryakumar Yadav hit a boundary off the first ball of the Super Over to complete a thrilling win. It was also their 10th consecutive defeat against India across formats.
The selectors have also replaced Kusal Mendis with Asalanka as captain for the one-day leg.
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Edited by Nihal
