Sri Lanka have been forced into a squad change during their home T20 World Cup 2026 campaign after fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana was sidelined with injury. The express pacer sustained a muscle strain during Sri Lanka’s clash against Australia in Pallekele, ruling him out of the remainder of the tournament and dealing a blow to the co-hosts’ plans.
Known for his unique slingy action and death-over expertise, Pathirana has been a key weapon for Sri Lanka, especially on home surfaces. However, recurring fitness concerns have once again interrupted his run, prompting the team management to look for a suitable replacement as the tournament enters a crucial phase.
Sri Lanka have now named left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka as Pathirana’s replacement. Madushanka adds variety to the pace attack and will slot in alongside experienced quicks such as Dushmantha Chameera and captain Dasun Shanaka. His ability to swing the ball early and create different angles could prove valuable as the competition intensifies.
Injuries have continued to test Sri Lanka’s depth throughout the tournament. Eshan Malinga was withdrawn earlier, while star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga was also forced out due to fitness issues. Despite these setbacks, Sri Lanka have remained unbeaten so far, highlighted by a memorable victory over Australia powered by a century from Pathum Nissanka.
Heading into the Super 8 stage, Sri Lanka find themselves grouped with England, Pakistan and New Zealand. The co-hosts will be banking on their strong spin resources and improving batting form to stay competitive and push for a semifinal spot. An upcoming group-stage match against Zimbabwe will serve as a final tune-up before the high-stakes Super 8 fixtures begin.