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Sri Lanka dealt with injury blow to key player

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Spinner Maheesh Theekshana strained his right hamstring while fielding during the Super 4 clash against Pakistan. The spinner, who went off the field multiple times during Sri Lanka's bowling innings will undergo scans tomorrow to assess his condition.

Theekshana took the new ball for Sri Lanka on Thursday, conceding just 14 runs in his first five overs.

He came back to bowl in the 28th over and sent back Mohammad Nawaz just before the showers forced the players off the field.

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He was visibly seen hobbling when he came back for another spell in the 35th over and it appeared like he had strained his hamstring. While he went on to bowl three more overs, Theekshana walked off the field with support at the start of the 39th over and did not come back.

The spinner is a key part of Sri Lanka's ODI setup. He is their highest wicket-taker in ODIs in 2023 with 31 scalps in 15 matches at an average of 17.45.

Theekshana will undoubtedly be a key member of Sri Lanka's 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup squad should he remain fit. Teams have to submit their final teams for the tournament by September 28.

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