Sri Lanka’s batsman Kusal Perera could miss the upcoming T20 World Cup after picking up a hamstring injury in the third and final T20I of the series against South Africa. He was the top scorer from his side but was clearly seen struggling between the wickets while running.
An assessment of his injury and availability in the World Cup will be determined later in a week time, ESPNCricinfo reported citing one of Sri Lanka’s team physicians, Dr Daminda Attanayake.
"The injury is a sprinter's injury, which can be picked up while running between the wickets. Because of the nature of the injury, we can't do a fast rehabilitation,” Dr Attanayake was quoted as saying.
Perera has a long history of struggles with hamstring injuries but reportedly it’s not a recurrence of an old one. He had also missed the last home series against India after contracting Covid-19 upon arrival from the UK.
Sri Lanka have faced another injury concern in the same game against South Africa as the all-rounder Lahiru Madushanka fractured his collarbone while fielding and has subsequently been ruled out of the T20 World Cup scheduled to start next month.
Sri Lanka are going through a tough phase in international cricket as their performance as a team have dwindled over the last many years. The absence of Perera will come as an excruciating blow to the team’s chances as they are anyway facing a tough path to get entry to the main draw of the T20 World Cup.