Timing couldn’t be worse for Sri Lanka: with the 2026 T20 World Cup looming from February 7, key pacer Eshan Malinga is out of Tuesday’s third T20 versus England after dislocating his shoulder in Sunday’s Pallekele loss.
The SLC presser details Malinga’s Monday Colombo arrival for injury probes, casting doubt over his global readiness. At 24, his trajectory dazzles—2025 IPL smash, November debut, 8 wickets in 8 T20Is at 17.1 strike rate.
Squad skips a seam replacement for the decider, spotlighting Pramod Madushan as prime pacer, shifting from backup to frontline hope.
Unfinalized World Cup XV post-January 31 cutoff demands ICC greenlight for alterations, tightening the window. Depth saves the day: Thushara’s steady T20 form, Madushan’s platform, variety via lefties Binura Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, and Asitha Fernando.
Selectors eye balance. This test of reserves could sharpen Sri Lanka’s edge, transforming adversity into a World Cup weapon.