Kusal Perera injury : Although they lost their first warm-up match against Bangladesh by seven runs, Sri Lanka opener Kusal Perera injury is more of a concern ahead of the World Cup opener against South Africa on the 7th. October
Sri Lanka opted to bat first and posted 263 in 49.1 overs before Bangladesh were bowled out for just three wickets and eight overs at home at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Friday. The islanders suffered a major injury setback as their hard-hitting opener Perera smashed a 24-ball 34 after injury.
The left-hander looked in good touch as he hit six boundaries before experiencing pain in his right shoulder, which underwent surgery about a year ago. He made a few calls to the physio before leaving the park without risking further injury ahead of key matches. Sri Lanka are already missing several key players due to injury and cannot afford to leave Perera out of the squad so late.
Their star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, while pacer Dushmantha Chameera has not recovered from a shoulder injury in time to make the 15-man squad.
Sri Lanka started the game well and could have made a bigger total had Perera continued with the bat. Apart from fellow openers Pathum Nissanka and Dhananjaya Da Silva, none of the other batsmen managed to get it going as their innings fell short of the full quota. Off-spinner Mahedi Hasan was the pick of the Bangladeshi bowlers with 3/36 from nine overs. Bengal Tigers got off to a flying start in reply thanks to Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das, who opened the innings with 131 runs. Next man Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who captained the team, scored 67 off 64 balls to end the game promptly.
Kusal Perera injury ,Brief score: Sri Lanka 263 in 49.1 overs (P Nissanka 68, D de Silva 55; M Hasan 3/36). Bangladesh 264/3 in 42 overs (T Hasan 84, L Das 61, MH Miraz 67; Lahiru 1/30). Bangladesh won by 7 runs
