Chameera ruled out of Asia Cup, replaced by Thushara

Fast-bowler Dushmantha Chameera was ruled out of the Asia Cup, after picking up an injury during a practice session, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed yesterday.   

Chameera has been Sri Lanka’s best bowler across formats since January 2021, leading all wicket takers with 65 wickets, but concerns over his workload have meant that the fast bowler has not featured in the team’s most recent Test series, with the view of keeping his fresh for the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup.   

However, an injury has now ruled him out of the Asia Cup, which starts this week in Dubai, with selectors calling up Nuwan Thushara as a replacement.   

Thushara played in two of the three T20Is against Australia, though taking only one wicket, and was one of the three players on the standby list for the Asia Cup.   

Chameera is the third fast bowler Sri Lanka have lost to injury in the last few weeks, with Kasun Rajitha and Binura Fernando picking up injuries during the recently concluded SLC Invitational T20 tournament.   

The other two standby players, Dinesh Chandimal and Nuwanidu Fernando, will remain in Sri Lanka and not travel with the team, SLC said.   

Pakistan were also dealt a significant blow with Shaheen Shah Afridi being ruled out for the Asia Cup with a knee injury.   

He has been replaced by Mohammed Hasnain, who is currently taking part in the Hundred in England.