ICC World T20: Jeffrey Vandersay replaces injured Lasith Malinga in Sri Lanka squad

New Delhi: Sri Lankan cricket team, who were dealt with a big blow with skipper Lasith Malinga being ruled out for the ICC World Twenty20, called upon leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay to replace the pace bowler.

Malinga has been forced out due to a continuous knee injury. Although Malinga was a part of the squad, he did not feature in Sri Lanka's opening game against Afghanistan. He just played a solitary game earlier for the side in the Asia Cup earlier.

Mohan de Silva, the Sri Lanka Cricket vice-President, said the 26-year-old Vandersay will depart at the earliest to join the team.

Vandersay was in the original World T20 squad but was overlooked by the current selection panel headed by Aravinda de Silva.

Vandersay has played in just four T20 internaitonals previously, the last of which was in New Zealand in January.

Sri Lanka will play the West Indies next in Super 10, Group 1 encounter.

(With PTI inputs)