Sri Lanka opening batsman Dhanushka Gunathilaka suffered a back injury and was ruled out of the upcoming Asia Cup tournament on Thursday, dealing a major blow to the islanders.

Sri Lanka Cricket said the 27-year-old left-hand batsman will return home from Dubai where he suffered a lower-back injury during practice. The tournament opens on Saturday in Dubai.

He will be replaced by another left-handed batsman, Shehan Jayasuriya. On Monday, Sri Lanka’s Test captain Dinesh Chandimal was withdrawn from the 16-member squad after he injured a finger during a domestic Twenty20 match.

Sri Lanka’s revised squad: Angelo Mathews (Captain), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga, Niroshan Dickwella, Shehan Jayasuriya, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Dhanajaya de Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Dilruwan Perera, Amila Aponso, Kasun Rajitha, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera and Lasith Malinga.

The Sri Lankan cricket team will begin its campaign at the 2018 Asia Cup, to be held in the UAE from September 15-28, against Bangladesh in the tournament opener on September 15.

Inputs from Scroll.in, ICC Cricket

BDST: 1058 HRS, SEPT 14, 2018
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