Asia Cup 2022 is set to commence on August 27 in UAE and Sri Lanka is one of the competing teams in the tournament. 

Sri Lanka bowler Dushmantha Chameera was set to lead the team. Apparently, a calf injury puts him out of the Asia Cup. A member of Sri Lanka team management has confirmed that Chameera picked up the injury three or four days ago and will not mend in time for the said competition. A doctor working for the team also confirmed the ankle injury, which has to do with Achilles tendon. Although the injury has not fully assessed yet, it is thought that he can regain fitness for the next few months in time for the T20 World Cup in October.

Chameera was part of the named 18-man squad of Sri Lanka for the Asia Cup in spite of incomplete recovery from an ankle injury. It was then understood that Chameera would be given as much time to regain fitness, but this will no longer be the case.

On the other hand, Pramod Madushan – right-armer and who had been in standby list when the squad was announced, has been automatically added as Chameera’s replacement.

In absence of Chameera, pressure will be put on the raw Sri Lankan seam-bowling attack at the Asia Cup. Their first bowling dependant now has Dilshan Madushanka, Madushan, Asitha Fernando and Matheesha Pathirana all uncapped in T20Is with Chamika Karunaratne and Dasun Shanaka as allrounders other options.

Binura Fernando and Kasun Rajitha are both inaccessible because of injuries.

With Wanindu Hasaranga, their spin attack is likely to have a more potent look. Yet, Sri Lanka will need to find alternate choices to deliver the new-ball and death overs Chameera swift delivered.

 Sri Lanka is set to commence the tournament on August 27 versus Afghanistan in Dubai UAE.

Players to watch 

Batters

Najibullah Zadran 

Hazratullah Zazai

Bowlers

Fazalhaq Farooqi

Rashid Khan

Previous 1 match

Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets (7 balls remaining)