Matheesha Pathirana ruled out of T20 World Cup; Dilshan Madushanka replaces him

Sri Lanka have suffered another injury blow to their T20 World Cup campaign, with seamer Matheesha Pathirana ruled out of the remainder of the tournament. Left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka has been approved by the ICC's Event Technical Committee as a replacement.

Pathirana clutched his left leg just four deliveries into his first over during Sri Lanka's Group B fixture against Australia on Monday. He limped off the field and did not return.

The ICC confirmed a muscle strain on Pathirana's left leg, ruling him out immediately. This is the second major injury for Sri Lanka after all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga was ruled out with a hamstring injury from the tournament opener against Ireland.

Left-arm seamer Madushanka last played two ODIs during Sri Lanka's tour of Zimbabwe in August 2025. He has also struggled with injury but participated in a T20 World Cup warm-up fixture for Sri Lanka A against Oman earlier this month.

Madushanka has played 15 T20Is, taking 15 wickets at an economy rate of 9.75. His most notable performance was in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he finished as Sri Lanka's highest wicket-taker with 21 scalps at an average of 25.00.

Sri Lanka next play Zimbabwe in Colombo in their final Group B fixture, before opening their Super Eights campaign against England on Sunday.