Sri Lanka Suffer Major Blow as Matheesha Pathirana Misses Asia Cup 2025 Super Four Match vs Pakistan

Sri Lanka has suffered a big blow as star fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana will not play in the Asia Cup 2025 match against Pakistan. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) shared the update on its official X (formerly Twitter) account. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has confirmed that Matheesha Pathirana is unwell and won’t be part of the team for the match against Pakistan. The board also shared that he missed recent practice sessions and the medical team is keeping a close watch on his recovery.

“Matheesha Pathirana is unwell and will not be available for selection for today’s game against Pakistan. He did not take part in team practice sessions during the last two days and is currently under medical treatment.” ,” said SLC in a statement.

For those who don’t know, the upcoming Super Four clash is very important for both Pakistan and Sri Lanka as they look to keep their hopes alive for the final. Both teams lost their opening games Sri Lanka went down to Bangladesh by four wickets on Saturday, while Pakistan were beaten by India by six wickets the next day. At the moment, Pakistan sit at the bottom of the Super Four table because of a weaker net run rate compared to Sri Lanka, who are placed third.

Matheesha Pathirana, often praised for his deadly bowling at the end of an innings, hasn’t had much of a role in Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup journey so far. He only featured once, in the group match against Bangladesh, where things didn’t quite click he went for 42 runs in four overs without picking up a wicket. With him ruled out, the pace duties will once again fall on Nuwan Thushara and Dushmantha Chameera, who’ve both been in fine form grabbing six and five wickets each in the tournament.

Pathirana is no doubt a gifted bowler, but injuries have kept him from building the momentum he deserves. His recent form hasn’t been great either with only four wickets in five T20 games since the IPL 2025. Still, both fans and the team are backing him to return stronger once he’s fully fit, because Sri Lanka can really use his spark with the ball.

PAK vs SL Head-to-Head Record

PAK vs SL Predicted Playing 11

Pakistan:

Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (C), Hasan Nawaz, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.

Sri Lanka:

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (C), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara.

Asia Cup Squads: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman,Saim Ayub, Salman Agha(c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris(w), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Hussain Talat, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Salman Mirza, Hasan Ali, Sufiyan Muqeem

Sri Lanka Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Binura Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Matheesha Pathirana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, and Janith Liyanage.

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