A major blow to the Sri Lankan national cricket team as one of their leading fast bowlers walked out of the Pallekele International Cricket Ground on 16 February after suffering an injury. Mathisha Pathirana limping might have caused concern among Sri Lankan cricket and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) fans.
After achieving two consecutive wins, Sri Lanka is currently facing Australia. Mathisha Pathirana was named for the match to lead an effective fast bowling attack.
Mathisha Pathirana suffered hamstring injury
Sri Lanka’s blueprint was scratched as the fast bowler clutched his left leg in pain and fell to the ground. The physio immediately reached the spot to take care of Pathirana. According to media reports, the Sri Lankan fast bowler has suffered a hamstring injury. He got the start of the innings after pitching the fourth ball of his opening spell.
He needed assistance to leave the field. This could be a big blow for the team, as the seamer is one of the top talents in the national setup. Dasun Shanaka came on the field in place of injured Mathisha Pathirana and completed the over.
Pathirana was in good form in the tournament
Cricket fans are eagerly waiting for the update on the fast bowler’s injury. His absence can become a cause of trouble not only for the Sri Lankan cricket team but also for the Kolkata Knight Riders. Ahead of the IPL 2026 season, KKR signed the Lankan bowler for a huge sum of Rs 18 crore from the mini auction.
Pathirana has been in good form since the start of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026. He took a few wickets against Ireland, however he did not get any wickets against Oman. Ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, he has been regularly successful when the island nation engages England for a T20I series. The Sri Lankan fast bowler took 5 wickets in 3 matches against England.
Australia’s opening batsmen scored half-centuries
Australia got off to a great start in the absence of Mathisha Pathirana. Both their openers Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head scored a half-century each. Captain Marsh returned after scoring 54 runs in 27 balls and Head played an inning of 56 runs in 19 balls. For the opening stand, he scored 104 runs. Together they hit a total of twenty fours, which included fifteen fours and five sixes.
The tournament co-hosts pulled themselves back into the contest as soon as the openers left. Australia’s middle-order batsmen—Cameron Green and Tim David—failed to save their wickets. Green went for 3; David was out after scoring only 6 runs. Right-arm leg spinner Dushan Hemantha looked effective against the Australian batting lineup.
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