Asia Cup 2018: Shehan Jayasuriya Replaces Injured Danushka Gunathilaka In Sri Lanka Squad

Sri Lanka have suffered another huge injury blow ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup. Their allrounder Danushka Gunathilaka has been ruled out of the competition with a lower back injury, Sri Lanka Cricket announced on Thursday. Shehan Jayasuriya will replace Gunathilaka in the squad.

Gunathilaka had travelled to United Arabia Emirates with the squad but will now return to his country for further treatment. On the other hand, Shehan Jayasuriya will join the team on Friday.

Asia Cup 2018: Shehan Jayasuriya Replaces Injured Danushka Gunathilaka In Sri Lanka Squad
Danushka Gunathilaka (Credits: AFP)

Earlier in July, Sri Lanka Cricket had suspended Gunathilaka for six international matches for an alleged breach of code of conduct regulations. He had faced the punishment after breaking curfew on a Test-match night during the game against South Africa. He subsequently missed the limited-overs series against the Proteas. However, a strong performances in the provincial T20 competition helped him earn a recall.

So far, Gunathilaka has represented Sri Lanka in 33 ODIs, scoring 957 runs in addition to picking up 6 wickets. His replacement Jayasuriya, on the other hand, has played 8 ODIs so far. He played in two ODIs in the series against South Africa without making a substantial impact.

Asia Cup 2018: Shehan Jayasuriya Replaces Injured Danushka Gunathilaka In Sri Lanka Squad
Shehan Jayasuriya has replaced Danushka Gunathilaka in Sri Lanka squad for the Asia Cup (Credits: AFP)

Meanwhile, this is not the first injury concern that has hit Sri Lanka ahead of their Asia Cup campaign. They have already lost their middle-order batsman Dinesh Chandimal due to a finger injury. Wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella replaced Chandimal in the squad.

Not only that, they will miss the services of their spin spearhead Akila Dananjaya for the early part of the tournament. Dananjaya is awaiting the birth of his first child.

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Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will take on Bangladesh in the Asia Cup-opener on September 15.

Sri Lanka squad:

Shehan Jayasuriya replaces injured Danushka GunathilakaAngelo Mathews(c), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga, Shehan Jayasuriya, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Dilruwan Perera, Amila Aponso, Kasun Rajitha, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera, Lasith Malinga, Niroshan Dickwella

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