Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has confirmed that fast bowler Eshan Malinga will miss the third T20I against England on Tuesday due to a dislocated shoulder. The injury occurred during Sri Lanka’s second T20I against England in Pallekele, and there are concerns that Malinga’s spot in Sri Lanka’s World Cup squad, which has yet to be publicly announced, could be in jeopardy.
Malinga’s Injury Details and Impact on Sri Lanka’s World Cup Plans
The injury took place in the eighth over of England’s chase, shortly after a long rain delay. Malinga, bowling the first ball following the resumption, appeared to tweak his left shoulder during his follow-through. He immediately clutched his shoulder in pain and collapsed on the ground. The delivery itself was off-target, being called a no-ball for its height.
SLC has confirmed that Malinga will return to Colombo for an MRI scan to assess the severity of the injury. Depending on the results, further treatment and rehabilitation will be decided. This injury comes at a particularly unfortunate time for Malinga, who had impressed with his recent performances and was considered a key part of Sri Lanka’s fast-bowling unit.
The 24-year-old had gained significant attention after a standout debut IPL season in 2025. In his eight T20I appearances since debuting in November, Malinga had picked up eight wickets with a remarkable strike rate of 17.1. His rise in Sri Lanka’s seam-bowling ranks had made him a vital asset for the national team, and his World Cup spot now hangs in the balance.
Potential Replacements and Sri Lanka’s Fast-Bowling Depth
In Malinga’s absence, Pramod Madushan is the likely candidate to take over in Sri Lanka’s bowling attack. Madushan had been previously considered as a backup to Dushmantha Chameera for this series and could now feature in the third T20I against England. While no replacement has officially been named, Madushan’s inclusion seems imminent.
Sri Lanka is not short of fast-bowling options, with several other players in the mix for a potential World Cup spot. Nuwan Thushara, a key contributor to Sri Lanka’s T20I success over the past year, is a leading contender to fill Malinga’s role. Additionally, Asitha Fernando, Binura Fernando, and Dilshan Madushanka are all in the running, with Madushanka being one of the few left-arm options in the squad.
SLC has yet to finalize their World Cup squad, which has caused some uncertainty about Malinga’s place. Any changes to the squad after the January 31 deadline will require approval from the International Cricket Council (ICC). As Sri Lanka assesses its bowling resources, all eyes will be on how Malinga’s injury affects the final squad selection.
