Injured Chameera out of Pallekele Test

Sri Lanka's new fast-bowling find Dushmantha Chameera has been ruled out of the third Test against Pakistan starting in Pallekele on Friday. Chameera, on debut, suffered a side strain in the second Test at the P Sara Oval and has been declared unfit for the decider.

SLC chief selector Kapila Wijegunawardene said that Lahiru Gamage has been included in the squad as cover in the event of any injuries to other fast bowlers. Sri Lanka will decide on the morning of the match whether they to go with a three-seamer combination or stick to their usual two seamers, two spinners combination, which they used in the first two Tests.

Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Pradeep and Suranga Lakmal are the three seamers available for the hosts. If Sri Lanka go with three seamers, young offspinner Tharindu Kaushal, who claimed five wickets in the first innings of the second Test, is likely to be entrusted as the solitary spinner ahead of Rangana Herath.

Herath, who has tormented Pakistan batsmen over the years, has been unsuccessful this series, taking only the wicket of Azhar Ali (twice).

Wijegunawardene also said a call had to be taken whether to retain batsman Kithuruwan Vithanage at No. 7 or to replace him with either Jehan Mubarak or Kusal Perera.