Matheesha Pathirana Officially Ruled Out Of T20 World Cup; 25-Year-Old Named Replacement

Pathirana's replacement named in Sri Lanka's squad [Source: AFP]

In the latest development, the Sri Lankan side has suffered a massive jolt as Matheesha Pathirana, their key pacer, has been officially ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2026 due to a muscle strain injury. He sustained it during Sri Lanka’s group stage match against Australia as the pacer walked off the field during the game.

The ICC has approved Sri Lanka’s request for a replacement, and 25-year-old pacer Dilshan Madushanka will come in place of Pathirana as the Lankan Lions aim to go past the Super 8 stage of the World Cup.

ICC's Press Release on Pathirana injury and replacement

The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has approved Dilshan Madushanka as a replacement for Matheesha Pathirana in the Sri Lanka squad.

Madushanka was named as a replacement when Pathirana was ruled out after sustaining a muscle strain in his left leg during the team’s previous match against Australia on 16 February.

The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the replacement player can be officially added to the squad.

The Event Technical committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 consists of Wasim Khan (Chair, ICC General Manager - Cricket), Gaurav Saxena (ICC General Manager – Events & Corporate Communications, IBC representative), Hemang Amin (Tournament Director, host representative) and Shaun Pollock (Independent nominee).

How Pathirana got injured?

Sri Lanka took on Australia in their group stage match on Monday, and during Australia’s batting, Pathirana got injured. He came to bowl in the 3rd over, and disaster struck when he delivered the fourth ball of the over. The Sri Lankan pacer immediately clutched his hamstring, and was taken off the field.

The player hobbled and was kept on the sidelines as the Sri Lankan side eventually announced his replacement in Madushanka, who brings a different variety to their attack.

What Madushanka brings to the table

A quality left-arm pacer, Madushanka offers something different to what Pathirana offered to the Lankan side. He can swing the ball both ways and has the ability to take wickets inside the powerplay, and also in the death overs.

Madushanka can easily clock in excess of 140 km/h, and the pacer also boasts decent T20I stats for Sri Lanka. He has scalped 15 wickets in 15 matches, and has an economy rate of 9.75.

Apart from the ability to swing the ball, Madushanka is also deceptive with his short-pitched ball, a trait that Pathirana lacks.

Sri Lanka's injury-crisis in the ongoing World Cup

Not only Pathirana, but Sri Lanka also lost one of their key bowlers early in the tournament. Wanindu Hasaranga, the wily all-rounder, suffered a hamstring injury, and the player was also ruled out of the tournament, becoming the first casualty for the Lankan Lions.

Dushan Hemantha, who is a like-for-like replacement for Hasaranga came into the team, and he also produced a match-winning spell against Australia. The Sri Lankan side has surely reached the Super 8s, but they will miss the services of Pathirana, especially in the death overs.