Angelo Mathews replaces injured Matheesha Pathirana in Sri Lanka's World Cup squad

Allrounder Angelo Mathews has replaced fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana in Sri Lanka's World Cup squad. Pathirana had suffered a shoulder injury while playing Pakistan in Hyderabad on October 10, and was ruled out of Sri Lanka's subsequent matches against Australia and Netherlands.

Mathews had already linked up with the squad ahead of the match against Netherlands, having been called up as a travelling reserve along side fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera.

Former captain Mathews, 36, last played an ODI against Afghanistan in June. He comes with plenty of experience on this stage though, having played the World Cups in 2011, 2015 and 2019. He was Sri Lanka's captain during the 2015 edition.

Pathirana is Sri Lanka's second injury loss this World Cup after their captain Dasun Shanaka was ruled out due to a quadriceps tear, which he had also picked up during the match against Pakistan. Chamika Karunaratne had taken Shanaka's place in Sri Lanka's squad, with wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis standing in as captain. They are also without legspinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who was ruled out of the World Cup with an injury.

Before his injury, Pathirana was taken for as many as 185 runs in the 19 overs that he had bowled across matches against South Africa and Pakistan, with an economy rate of almost 10.

Sri Lanka are looking for an upswing in form themselves, having registered their first win of the World Cup when they beat Netherlands by five wickets in Lucknow on Saturday, having lost three in a row till then. They are currently placed ninth on the points table.