Sri Lanka suffered a double blow ahead of their Asia Cup defence as star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga and fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera were ruled out of the tournament commencing next week in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Wanindu Hasaranga suffered a hamstring injury during the Eliminator game between B-Love Kandy and Jaffna Kings in the recently concluded Lanka Premier League (LPL).

He was captaining B-Love Kandy and did not let the injury slow him down as he powered his team to the final virtually on one leg with his all-around performance. However, he missed the final, where his team thrashed Dambulla Aura to win the coveted LPL trophy.

Hasaranga was adjudged player of the tournament for his all-round performance throughout the tournament, as he topped the leading run scorer as well as the leading wicket-takers chart. He scored 279 runs and picked up 19 wickets.

Meanwhile, fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera has once again been ruled out of a major event as failed to recover from his shoulder injury, which he suffered during LPL, playing for B-Love Kandy. He only managed to play in four games for his side during the tournament.

Previously, he suffered an injury during the World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe and was subsequently ruled out of the tournament. He also missed Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup triumph and a few games of the T20I World Cup last year.

Notably, he was adjudged player of the series in Sri Lanka’s ODI series against Afghanistan in June this year.

Dushmantha Chameera is likely to be replaced by Kasun Rajitha, while leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha is expected to fill in the shoes of Wanindu Hasaranga.

Sri Lanka will kick off their Asia Cup campaign on August 31 against Bangladesh.

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