Covid-19 scare in Sri Lankan camp ahead of Asia Cup 2023

Two Sri Lankan cricketers have tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of Asia Cup 2023, which will be co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 30 to September 17. Avishka Fernando and opening batter Kusal Perera tested positive for Covid-19 and are under observation even as Sri Lanka are slated to announce their squad for the continental tournament soon.

Both Avishka Fernando and Kusal Perera were set to be picked in Asia Cup squad but their availability will depend on when they recover from Covid-19, according to ESPNCricinfo. Both players showed symptoms before they were tested for the virus. The report also added that Fernando and Perera might have picked up the



virus during the final stages of the LPL, which ended on August 20.

Avishka Fernando, who has not played ODIs since the start of the year, put his hand up with some consistent showing in the recently-concluded Lanka Premer League. He scored 244 runs in 10 matches to finish as the 4th-leading run-getter in the T20 tournament.

On the other hand, Kusal Perera, an aggressive opening batter, has not played since January 2021 due to injuries and ordinary form. He stepped up in the LPL 2023 season, scoring 210 runs in just 8 matches.

Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are the only two teams who have not announced their Asia Cup squads.