Covid-19 Hits Kusal Perera, Fernando; Chameera Out, Hasaranga Doubtful For Asia Cup
Sri Lankan team after winning World Cup Qualifier 2023 (Twitter)
Sri Lanka have been handed a huge blow ahead of the Asia Cup 2023 as their star pacer, Dushmantha Chameera has been ruled out due to a shoulder injury he got during the Lanka Premier League (LPL). According to the reports from ESPNcricinfo, Sri Lankan team manager Mahinda Halangoda has confirmed Chameera's unavailability. Wanindu Hasaranga, the star Lankan all-rounder will also most likely miss the initial games due to a thigh strain in the LPL as reported by OneCricket earlier.
Kusal Perera and Avishka Fernando set to make comeback in the national side have been diagnosed with Covid-19 and their inclusion now depends on the speed of their recovery. All these puts Lankan selectors in a tricky position now and they might be forced to go into the continental cup without some of their big players. Hasaranga, especially, was in brilliant form with both bat and ball and he will surely be missed if does not make it to the Asia Cup squad.
Chameera has been plagued with injuries for quite a long time now and came into LPL after recovering from an ankle injury. Kusal Perera also made a comeback to competitive cricket in LPL after a long injury layoff and his inclusion was expected to be a big boost for Lankans ahead of Asia Cup and World Cup 2023.
Sri Lanka won the last edition of the Asia Cup in 2022 which was played in the T20 format. This time they will be playing at home and would be hoping to lift the trophy again in front of their passionate home crowd. Asia Cup will be played in an hybrid model with some games to be played in Pakistan along with Sri Lanka and will start on 30th of August with final to be played on 17th of September 2023.
 "Aashay Chopade")
