Sri Lanka suffered a major setback ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 as their star fast bowler Ishan Malinga has been ruled out due to injury. Malinga dislocated his shoulder during the third T20 match against England, forcing him to sit out.
The 24-year-old seamer sustained the injury in Sunday’s match at Pallekele, and Sri Lanka confirmed he will not feature in the upcoming T20 clash against England.
Impressive Form: 8 Wickets in 8 Matches
Malinga has been in exceptional form in recent months, climbing the bowling rankings rapidly. After a stellar debut in the 2025 Indian Premier League, he made his international debut in November 2025. In his T20 career so far, he has claimed 8 wickets in 8 matches with an impressive strike rate of 17.1.
For the third T20, Sri Lanka has not named a direct replacement for Malinga, leaving Pramod Madushan as the only frontline seamer available. Madushan, who was initially seen as cover for Dushmantha Chameera, is now expected to play in the starting XI.
ICC Approval Needed for Squad Changes
Sri Lanka Cricket has not yet finalized its World Cup squad. Any replacement for Malinga after the submission deadline of January 31 will require ICC approval, adding complexity to the selection process.
Sri Lanka still has capable pace-bowling options, with Madushan and Nuwan Tushara leading the list. Madushan will have a chance to prove himself in the final match against England, while Tushara has consistently performed in the national T20 setup over the past year.
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