Sri Lanka coach with Wellalage - (Source : @GuerillaCricket/X.com)
On Tuesday, September 23, Sri Lanka locked horns against Pakistan at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Pakistan won the toss and decided to field first. Notably, both teams are fresh off defeats, and it is a do-or-die match for both teams.
The Men in Green made no changes to the playing XI, while Sri Lanka opted for two changes. Charith Asalanka dropped Dunith Wellalage and Kamil Mishara for the all-important Pakistan match. Meanwhile, this article will shed light on why Wellalage was left out of the match.
Why Was Dunith Wellalage Left Out Of Sri Lanka's Playing XI?
The 22-year-old had a difficult week as the young spinner lost his father during Sri Lanka's group-stage match against Afghanistan. The off-spinner rushed back home and returned to join the side on the subsequent day to take part in the Island Nation's first super-four match against Bangladesh.
However, for the ongoing match against Pakistan, Wellalage has been left out because of poor form and not because of the recent tragedy back home.
In the match against Afghanistan, Wellalage leaked 49 runs in his four overs, which included the five sixes in his fourth over off Mohammad Nabi's bat. The Island Nation gave another chance to Dunith to prove his mettle, but the 22-year-old failed to impress and again leaked heavy runs and also went wicketless.
Since the Pakistan match is a do-or-die match, Sri Lanka were forced to make the change and brought in Maheesh Theekshana as Wellalage's replacement. Talking about the CSK spinner, the right-arm bowler has played just a solitary game in the tournament so far. Further, Sri Lanka are also without Matheesha Pathirana, who has been ruled out because of illness.
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