Sri Lanka have been forced into a squad change at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after star pacer Matheesha Pathirana was ruled out with a muscle injury. Left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka has been officially approved as his replacement in the tournament squad.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed the update on Wednesday, stating that the Event Technical Committee has sanctioned Madushanka’s inclusion in place of the injured Pathirana.
Pathirana suffered the muscle strain during Sri Lanka’s Group B clash against Australia on Monday at Pallekele, a match the hosts won by eight wickets. The right-arm pacer managed to bowl only three deliveries before he was forced to leave the field due to discomfort and could not complete his over.
The injury comes as a setback for Sri Lanka, as Pathirana had been an important part of their bowling attack in the tournament. He had previously featured in matches against Ireland and Oman, contributing with his pace and deceptive variations.
With Pathirana sidelined, Dilshan Madushanka is expected to bolster Sri Lanka’s pace department as they continue their campaign in the T20 World Cup. Known for his left-arm pace and ability to swing the ball, Madushanka brings a different dimension to the bowling lineup, which could prove crucial in the upcoming matches.
Sri Lanka will now hope Madushanka can quickly settle into the squad and help maintain their momentum in the tournament.