Asia Cup 2018: Dinesh Chandimal and Akila Dananjaya Likely to Miss Few Games

Ahead of the start of the Asia Cup 2018, the Sri Lanka team is facing the troubles over the availability of their key players. The in-form player for the Islanders Akila Dananjaya is set to miss at least initial two games. Moreover, for Islanders Dinesh Chandimal is likely to miss a couple of games.

Sri Lanka already announced the squad by recalling Lasith Malinga in the team. Adding to that, they have made few surprising inclusions and exclusions. But, the concerns of Dananjaya and Chandimal are troubling them.

Akila Dananjaya is expecting his first child, Dinesh Chandimal injured:

It is likely that Dananjaya will miss the initial two games of the tournament for Sri Lanka. He is expecting his first child during the league phase of the competition hence, he will stay back home.

Meanwhile, another key member in the circuit, Chandimal is in doubt after sustaining a hairline fracture on the middle finger of his right hand. He picked up the injury during the recently-concluded domestic Twenty20 tournament.

It is a big blow for Chandimal as he returned to the squad after staying on the sidelines for quite a period. Meanwhile, the absence of in-form Dananjaya will hurt the team badly.

Dananjaya has been exceptional in the recent-past for Sri Lanka. With Asia Cup 2018 set to be held in the United Arab Emirates(UAE), the spin pitches would have made Dananjaya the most destructive bowler.

Niroshan Dickwella might get the nod:

Meanwhile, the absence of Chandimal could pave the way for Niroshan Dickwella to be back in the team. He was dropped after the repeated failures in the recent series.

However, selectors might call him to replace Chandimal. Dickwella is in the list of standbys announced by the board during the squad release.

However, it would be interesting to see how things would pan out for Sri Lanka in the absence of Akila Dananjaya and Dinesh Chandimal.