Sri Lanka’s spinner Maheesh Theekshana will miss the Asia Cup final against India due to a hamstring injury, as confirmed by captain Dasun Shanaka on Saturday. Theekshana, who is 23 years old, suffered the injury during their Super Four victory over Pakistan, which secured their place in the tournament’s final. This event serves as a precursor to next month’s ODI World Cup in India.
Dasun Shanaka informed reporters on the eve of the title showdown in Colombo, stating, “He won’t be able to take part in this game since he got a Grade 3 injury, but he will be there for the World Cup.” Theekshana had made a significant contribution, claiming eight wickets in five matches, providing valuable support to a youthful bowling attack that included pacer Matheesha Pathirana and fellow spinner Dunith Wellalage.
To fill the void left by Maheesh Theekshana, top-order batsman Sahan Arachchige will be joining the squad while Theekshana undergoes rehabilitation, according to Sri Lanka Cricket. Despite entering the tournament as underdogs, Sri Lanka, who co-hosted the event with Pakistan, have advanced to their 11th Asia Cup final and have an opportunity to secure their seventh title.
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The island nation advanced to the Super Fours with a dramatic victory over Afghanistan and has maintained their momentum, despite a loss to India in the Super Fours stage.
Maheesh Theekshana is out of the #AsiaCup2023 final due to a grade three hamstring tear 🤕
He will still be part of the World Cup though pic.twitter.com/H72MG8STCw
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 16, 2023
Dasun Shanaka said, “The boys really want to deliver for the country. As a team, we have been underdogs, so everyone wants to perform on the bigger stage. These youngsters need to show the world what they are capable of.”
Sri Lanka will face India in the final of the Asia Cup, and despite the absence of Theekshana, they will be determined to put on a strong performance and vie for the title.
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Sri Lanka Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis(w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka(c), Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Sahan Arachchige, Dushan Hemantha, Kasun Rajitha, Binura Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne
