By Admin 
The Sri Lankan team has qualified for the Super-8 of the T20 World Cup 2026, but even before this round the team has suffered a big setback. Fast bowler Mathisha Pathirana has been ruled out of the entire tournament due to injury. ICC said in its statement that left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka has joined the team as a replacement, which has been approved by the ICC Event Technical Committee.
Mathisha Pathirana took 2 wickets for 26 runs in the first match against Ireland in the T20 World Cup 2026. He could not take any wicket against Oman, but he was economical. He gave only 11 runs in 3 overs.
Pathirana was injured in the match against Australia
Mathisha Pathirana played in the group stage match against Australia, but could not even complete his first over. After bowling 4 balls, he lay down holding his leg, after which the physio came but he could not continue his over. Pathirana limped out of the field. In this match, Australia batted first and scored 181 runs. Sri Lanka achieved the target with 12 balls remaining due to Pathum Nissanka’s century (100) and Kushal Mendis’s half-century (51).
Madushanka joins Sri Lanka team
ICC said in its statement that Dilshan Madushanka has joined the Sri Lanka team after the replacement was approved by the Event Technical Committee. Let us tell you that Sri Lanka will face Zimbabwe in the last match of its group stage on Thursday. Zimbabwe has also qualified for the Super-8, this team has also created a big upset by defeating Australia in the ongoing edition.
Sri Lanka is included in Group 2 in the Super-8 of T20 World Cup 2026. New Zealand, England and Pakistan are in this group. Sri Lanka’s first match in Super-8 is with England on 22 February. In the second match, Sri Lanka will face New Zealand on 25th February. Sri Lanka will play the third match against Pakistan, which is scheduled on 28th February. Let us tell you that in Super-8, the teams have been kept in 2 groups. Out of these, the top-2 teams will qualify for the semi-finals.