In a major setback for Sri Lanka ahead of the T20 World Cup, fast bowler Eshan Malinga, who is part of the preliminary squad, has suffered a shoulder injury. The 24-year-old dislocated his left shoulder during the second T20I in Pallekele and will now miss the third T20I on February 3.
Although Sri Lanka Cricket have not yet finalised their 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, Malinga was widely expected to make the cut. However, his injury has now cast serious doubt over his place in Sri Lanka’s World Cup squad.
In an official statement, Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed that Malinga will travel to Colombo for further medical checks. “He will return to Colombo today, where he will undergo an MRI scan to assess the extent of the injury and determine the next course of action,” said an SLC media release.
Malinga suffered the injury during the eighth over of the match. The right-arm pacer hurt his non-bowling shoulder during his follow-through and fell to the ground after bowling a no-ball.
In the series, he picked up two wickets in two matches at an economy rate of 9.00.
So far, no replacement has been announced for the third T20I against England, although Pramod Madushan is expected to get the nod for the final match of the series.
Malinga has taken eight wickets in eight T20I matches at an average of 26.84.
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