Calf injury rules Mathews out of Dubai Test

Angelo Mathews has been ruled out of the second Test against Pakistan, although it was earlier hoped he would have sufficiently from a calf injury to join the team in Dubai. Team management has confirmed his unavailability.

Mathews’ absence will leave Sri Lanka with decisions on the make-up of their top order. With Lahiru Thirimanne and Kaushal Silva having had modest outings in the Abu Dhabi Test, the chances of either Roshen Silva or Sadeera Samarawickrama making a debut, have risen.

This would be the third full Test series Mathews has missed in the past year. Last October, multiple leg injuries had kept him out of the Zimbabwe tour, before a hamstring tear sustained in January then ruled him out of the Bangladesh Tests at home.

Sri Lanka are 1-0 up in the two-match series, but are now preparing for their first ever day-night Test. The match begins on Friday.