Just before the T20I series against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka suffered a blow: their star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga is out due to a hamstring injury. This is a big loss as Hasaranga is key to the team in the shorter format, both with the ball and bat.
Newswire.lk reports that Hasaranga won’t be available for the three match T20I series which starts on July 10 in Kandy. Though they are waiting for the final MRI results, initial medical opinion is that the hamstring injury is serious enough to keep him out of the team.
Hasaranga played in the final ODI against Bangladesh despite the injury and did well with 2 wickets for 35 runs and an unbeaten 14 off 12 balls towards the end. But now it seems he won’t be playing in the upcoming T20Is.
Despite this setback, Sri Lanka can still feel confident going into the T20I series. They just won the ODI series 2-1 and ended with a 99 run win in the final match at Pallekele.
Sri Lanka batted first and scored 285/7 with Kusal Mendis scoring a great 124 off 115 balls. Captain Charith Asalanka supported well with 58 in a 124 run partnership.
Bangladesh then collapsed and scored only 186 in 39.4 overs. Fast bowlers Asitha Fernando (3/33) and Dushmantha Chameera (3/51) took out the top order while spinners Dunith Wellalage (2/33) and Hasaranga kept the pressure. Only Towhid Hridoy scored 51 while the rest of the batting lineup didn’t put up much of a fight.
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The T20I series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh starts on July 10 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. The second match is in Dambulla on July 13 and the last one is on July 16 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
