SL vs PAK| Dimuth Karunaratne forced to bat down the order due to back injury

Sri Lanka Test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne didn't open the innings for his side in the third innings of the ongoing Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Galle after suffering a lower back injury.

The Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) shared an update on the injury of Karunaratne. SLC stated that Karunaratne is recovering from the injury and he will only play his part with the bat in Sri Lanka's second innings if required. 

Karunaratne suffering from Back Pain: SLC

"TEAM UPDATE: Dimuth Karunaratne, who is suffering from a ‘Lower Back Pain’ is recovering. However, the player will bat in the 2nd innings, only if required." Sri Lanka Cricket tweeted.

Karunaratne picked up the injury midway through the second Test against Pakistan at Galle. Due to the injury, he did not take the field during Pakistan's first innings. All-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva served as the stand-in captain for Karunaratne in the first innings.

Wicket-keeper batter Niroshan Dickwella opened the innings with Oshada Fernando in the second innings in place of Karunaratne. 

Karunaratne batting at 6 in the second innings 

According to an official rule by the ICC, even if Karunaratne is fit, he cannot come to bat before the team has lost at least five wickets. This is the reason why the left-handed seasoned opener came to bat at number 6 in Sri Lanka's second innings after Agha Salman removed Angelo Mathews, who is playing his 100th Test match. 

Karunaratne is battling hard alongside de Silva in the second innings to rack up a healthy lead for the hosts and set a big target for the visitors in the fourth innings.