Deshan hemantha

The Event Technical Committee: Sri Lanka and New Zealand have suffered significant setbacks in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with star all-rounders Wanindu Hasaranga and Michael Bracewell ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to injuries. The two teams have moved swiftly to name replacements, with Deshan Hemantha joining the Sri Lankan squad and Cole McConchie drafted into the New Zealand touring party.

Hasaranga’s tournament was cut short following a hamstring injury sustained during Sri Lanka’s opening match against Ireland in Colombo on Sunday. Despite the setback, the leg-spinning all-rounder delivered an impactful performance in that game, returning figures of three for 25 in his four-over spell. However, his condition worsened soon after.

An MRI scan conducted on Monday revealed a severe tear in Hasaranga’s left hamstring. The scan was reviewed by a UK-based specialist, after which Sri Lanka Cricket officially ruled him out of the competition. According to local media reports, the injury is expected to sideline Hasaranga for at least four weeks, effectively ending his World Cup campaign in a tournament being co-hosted by Sri Lanka.