With less than a week remaining before the 2023 Asia Cup kicks off, two Sri Lankan players have tested positive for the dreaded Covid-19. Opening batter Avishka Fernando and wicket-keeper Kusal Perera have reportedly returned positive results for Covid-19. The Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) is yet to announce its squad for the upcoming continental competition but the two above-mentioned batters are likely to be a part of the team.
While the news about the two batters testing positive for the virus has not yet been officially confirmed by the SLC, the development comes as a major setback for the Islanders.
Fernando last played in an ODI game for Sri Lanka in January 2023 while Perera last played an ODI game for the Islanders in 2021.
Sri Lanka is scheduled to begin their Asia Cup campaign against Bangladesh on August 31 in Kandy while they will play their second and last group-stage fixture against Afghanistan on September 5 (Lahore).
Asia Cup 2023: Complete schedule
Aug 30 Pak vs Nep - Multan, Pakistan
Aug 31 Ban vs SL - Kandy, Sri Lanka
Sept 2 Ind vs Pak - Kandy, Sri Lanka
Sept 3 Ban vs AFG - Lahore, Pakistan
Sept 4 Ind vs Nep - Kandy, Sri Lanka
Sept 5 SL vs AFG - Lahore, Pakistan
SUPER 4s
Sept 6 A1 Vs B2 - Lahore, Pakistan
Sept 9 B1 vs B2 - Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sept 10 A1 vs A2 - Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sept 12 A2 vs B1 - Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sept 14 A1 vs B1 - Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sept 15 A2 vs B2 - Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sept 17 Final - Colombo, Sri Lanka
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
'India and Pakistan aren't dream units': Ex-captain warns subcontinental giants ahead of 2023 ODI World Cup
Watch: Pakistan players erupt with wild celebration after Naseem Shah's heroics; Fazalhaq Farooqi runs out Shadab Khan at non-striker's end
