Fast bowlers Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando and wicket-keeper batsman Niroshan Dickwella will leave for Australia as stand-by players for the Sri Lanka team at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, according to sources.

Sri Lanka have called up the three players as backup into their T20 World Cup squad to prepare for all eventualities, as the Sri Lankan squad grapples with injuries.

Sri Lanka was on Sunday forced to replace key batter Pathum Nissanka with Ashen Bandara for their Super 12 match against Ireland after the former suffered a groin injury.

During the qualifying round, three Sri Lankan cricketers – Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera and Danishka Gunathilake – were ruled out due to injuries, while Pramod Madushan and Nissanka remain in the side with minor issues.