Huge blow for Sri Lanka as fast-bowler Dushmantha Chameera has been injured and will miss the second ODI against Afghanistan with Asitha Fernando announced as his replacement. Chameera was limping mid-way during his eighth over in the first ODI where Sri Lanka won the match by 42 runs. Dushmantha Chameera already picked two wickets by the time but he was unable to carry on with the injury and was walked back to the dressing room.
Now, it has been confirmed that Dushmantha Chameera has injured his left quadriceps and will miss the upcoming second ODI against Afghanistan. His career has been filled with injuries as he missed a lot of matches last year for Sri Lanka due to torn pectoral muscles and before that he also underwent ankle surgery. He underwent a scan after the First ODI and is waiting for the results to know the extent of the injury. It is confirmed that this is not related to his previous injuries.
Dushmantha Chameera has always been an injury-prone bowler but his contributions make him an asset for Sri Lanka. His ability to generate pace with his simplified bowling action and skid the ball on demand is something that has captured the eyes of selectors. However, he has again injured himself and will miss the second ODI against Afghanistan and is now waiting for the results of the scans from the UK to know the extent of his injury.
“He’s feeling better now, but we won’t know for sure the exact nature of his injury until we hear back from the specialist,” Sri Lanka’s team manager Mahinda Halangoda told ESPNcricinfo. Dushmantha Chameera has played 52 ODIs and has taken 56 wickets while in T20Is has played 55 T20Is and has taken 55 wickets. Also, in 12 Test matches, he has recorded 32 wickets.
Asitha Fernando Will Replace Dushmantha Chameera In The Squad
Asitha Fernando played his last ODI in November 2022 against Afghanistan and now he will return to this format against the same opposition. He has played five ODIs and has managed to take only one wicket. However, his Test records are good with 41 wickets in 13 Tests which includes a 10-wicket match figure. Asitha Fernando took six wickets against Afghanistan in the one-off Test and as a result, he has been included in the ODI squad replacing Dushmantha Chameera.
Sri Lanka won the first ODI against Afghanistan by 42 runs as Pathum Nissanka created history becoming the first Sri Lankan batter to smash a double-century in ODI cricket. He scored an unbeaten 210 off 139 balls which included 20 fours and eight sixes and a strike rate of 151.08. Sri Lanka posted 381/3 in their 50 overs and in reply, Afghanistan fought hard but could only manage 339/6 in their 50 overs.
The second ODI will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele on Sunday and Afghanistan will be hoping to make a comeback after being defeated in the first ODI by Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka on the other hand would look to seal the series with another victory and get their revenge for the ODI World Cup defeat.
