Madushan Replaces Injured Malinga in Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup Squad

Sri Lanka have been forced into a change ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with Pramod Madushan replacing Eshan Malinga in the national squad after the latter sustained a shoulder injury.

Malinga’s participation in the tournament was in doubt after he dislocated his shoulder during the second T20 International against England at home earlier this month. The injury occurred when he bowled the first delivery following a rain interruption. Malinga clutched his non-bowling shoulder immediately after releasing the ball and fell to the ground during his follow-through. He subsequently missed the third and final T20I of the series.

The setback comes just as Malinga had moved up Sri Lanka’s seam-bowling hierarchy following an impressive showing in the 2025 Indian Premier League. Since making his T20I debut in November last year, he had featured in eight matches, claiming eight wickets at an economy rate of 9.41.

Madushan, who comes in as Malinga’s replacement, brings prior international experience of his own. The right-arm seamer has played eight T20 Internationals for Sri Lanka, having made his debut in 2022 and last appeared in the format in 2023. He has taken 12 wickets at a notably better economy rate of 8.63.

Sri Lanka will open their T20 World Cup campaign on February 8 against Ireland in Colombo. Drawn in Group B, they will also face Oman, Australia and Zimbabwe as they look to secure a place in the Super Eights.