Sri Lanka T20 World Cup winner hospitalized after horrific car accident

Former Sri Lanka batsman Lahiru Thirimanne has been hospitalized following a road accident. The accident took place in the Thirapanne area of Anuradhapura when the vehicle carrying the former Sri Lankan cricketer collided with a lorry.

The lorry was coming from the opposite direction and hit Thirimanne’s car, causing significant damage. The accident occurred around 07.45 am local time on Thursday (March 14).

According to reports in Sri Lankan news outlet Ada Derana, Thirimanne was not the only individual who was hospitalized after the accident. Three other individuals travelling in the car as well as the the driver of the lorry and another person had to be admitted to the hospital.

Thirimanne has been admitted to Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital. Fortunately, the former cricketer has only sustained minor injuries.

Lahiru Thirimanne’s career in numbers:

Lahiru Thirimanne plied his trade for Sri Lanka in international cricket for more than a decade and represented the country in all three formats. He made his debut in international cricket in 2010 before announcing his retirement in 2023. His last appearance for Sri Lanka came in 2022 during the Bengaluru Test against India.

Overall, Thirimanne played 44 Tests, 127 ODIs and 26 T20Is. In Tests, he scored 2088 runs with the help of three centuries and 10 half-centuries. In ODIs, he scored 3194 runs with the help of four centuries and 21 half-centuries while in T20Is, he scored 291 runs.

He was part of the Sri Lankan team that won the T20 World Cup in 2014. Additionally, he played in two more T20 World Cups as well as two ODI World Cups. The former cricketer also led his country in five ODIs.

“As a player I have given my best, I have tried my best, I have respected the game and I have done my duty honestly and ethically to my motherland,” Thirimanne said last year while announcing his retirement.

“It was a difficult decision to make, but I cannot mention here the many unexpected reasons that influenced me to take this decision willingly or unwillingly. I take this opportunity to thank the SLC members, my coaches, teammates, physios, trainers, and analysts for their support and encouragement,” he added.