Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 2014: Injury to pacers hits home team's chances

Suranga Lakmal

According to the latest reports, Sri Lankan pacer Suranga Lakmal has not regained his fitness from an ankle injury and will miss the two match Test series against Pakistan. The island nation might also miss the bowler’s services for the subsequent ODIs at home.

The right-arm seamer will be missing Mahala Jayawardene’s farewell series as his swollen ankle forced the selectors to drop him out of the side.

Another first choice bowler Shaminda Eranga is also a doubtful starter, despite making good progress in his recovery from a broken webbing in his right hand. Lakmal was injured in the Test at Colombo, while Eranga was down at Galle during the last Test series against South Africa at home.

No replacements have been named by Sri Lanka till date, suggesting that Eranga will be available for the first of the two match series against their subcontinent rivals. Sri Lanka lost the Test series against South Africa by a margin of 1-0 last month and injuries to their key bowlers are not helping their cause this time either.

Galle will host the first Test on August 6 before the teams move on to Colombo (SSC) for the next one.