Sri Lanka leg-spinning allrounder Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva dismissed the claim of Sri Lanka Cricket president Shammi that he was left out of the World Cup on the orders of Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe.

Hasaranga opposing Shammi said that he tore a muscle on his right leg two weeks before the start of the 2023 World Cup and needed surgery which he underwent and is still recovering.

Shammi at a Press conference on Wednesday said Hasaranga was the victim of a plot spearheaded by Minister Ranasinghe to sabotage Sri Lanka’s chances at the World Cup.

But Hasaranga countering Shammi said: “I pulled out of the World Cup on expert medical advice. After the LPL I trained and tried to get back in time for the World Cup, but unfortunately I tore a muscle on my leg two weeks before the World Cup.

“I was told by doctors treating me that I needed surgery and will have to stay away from playing for 12 weeks and the World Cup is out for me.”

Hasaranga eventually underwent surgery.