AUS vs SL: Bad news for Sri Lanka! Matheesha Pathirana suffers THIS injury in T20 World Cup 2026 match 30
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Matheesha Pathirana got injured while bowling in the AUS vs SL match in the T20 World Cup 2026.
Sri Lanka head into a crucial Group B clash against Australia in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with confidence and qualification firmly in their hands. Having already registered commanding wins over Ireland and Oman, Dasun Shanaka’s men sit comfortably at the top of the group with four points and an imposing net run rate.
The encounter is being played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, where the pitch looks to be batting friendly. Australia, meanwhile, arrive under pressure after a shock defeat to Zimbabwe, leaving them with no margin for error.
After winning the toss, Sri Lanka chose to bowl first. However, their decision seems to have backfired, as Australian openers Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head have gotten off to a flier. Marsh, who returned to the Australian team after an injury, is quickly amongst the runs, with his team desperate for a win.
Matheesha Pathirana suffers injury in AUS vs SL; puts his future in T20 World Cup in massive jeopardy
Sri Lanka suffered a major scare as their leading pace bowler Matheesha Pathirana was forced to limp off the field after sustaining an injury during his opening over. Introduced into the attack in the third over, Pathirana conceded just three runs from his first four deliveries, showing early control and pace.
However, during his follow-through, the speedster suddenly clutched his left leg, raising concerns of a hamstring issue. The physio rushed in to attend to him, but Pathirana was visibly in discomfort, grimacing in pain, indicating the injury could be serious.
He immediately walked off the field and a return in this match appears highly unlikely. Sri Lanka will now anxiously await further updates on his fitness, hoping he is not ruled out of the remainder of the tournament. This setback compounds their injury concerns, with Wanindu Hasaranga already ruled out earlier due to a similar issue.
What happened to Matheesha Pathirana during the AUS vs SL match?
He suffered a suspected hamstring injury during his opening over and was forced to leave the field.
Who is already ruled out for Sri Lanka squad due to injury?
Wanindu Hasaranga has been sidelined earlier with a similar hamstring injury.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.