T20 WC: Key all-rounders sidelined as Sri Lanka and New Zealand face injury blow

Sri Lanka and New Zealand person some been deed by wounded setbacks successful the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, losing cardinal all-rounders Wanindu Hasaranga and Michael Bracewell for the remainder of the tournament. Both teams person acted rapidly to sanction replacements, with Deshan Hemantha joining Sri Lanka and Cole McConchie called into the New Zealand squad. Hasaranga’s run ended abruptly aft helium suffered a hamstring wounded during Sri Lanka’s opening lucifer against Ireland successful Colombo connected Sunday. Despite the aboriginal exit, the leg-spinning all-rounder had an awesome outing, taking 3 wickets for 25 runs successful 4 overs.

However, his information deteriorated, and an MRI connected Monday confirmed a terrible teardrop successful his near hamstring. Following a reappraisal by a specializer successful the UK, Sri Lanka Cricket officially ruled him out, with section reports indicating a betterment play of astatine slightest 4 weeks, efficaciously ending his World Cup. “The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has approved Dushan Hemantha arsenic Hasaranga’s replacement successful the squad. Hemantha has appeared successful 5 ODIs and 3 T20Is,” the ICC said. For New Zealand, Bracewell suffered a calf wounded during warm-ups against Afghanistan successful Chennai connected February 8, aggravating a pre-existing teardrop from the 3rd ODI against India past month. Follow-up scans confirmed the severity, with aesculapian proposal suggesting astir 3 weeks earlier helium could play again. Cole McConchie volition articulation the squad successful India arsenic a travelling reserve alongside pacer Ben Sears, according to New Zealand Cricket. These injuries travel astatine a important stage, forcing some teams to set their lineups arsenic the tourney progresses.