Asia Cup 2023: Big blow for tournament, Two Players Tested Positive for COVID-19

Asia Cup 2023: With 5 days left for the start of the Asia Cup, Sri Lanka has heard bad news. According to media reports, two players from the Sri Lanka have tested positive for Covid-19. Sri Lanka team opener Avishka Fernando and wicketkeeper Kusal Perera were tested for Covid-19 and the report was positive.

Sri Lanka is yet to announce the squad for the Asia Cup. However, it was confirmed that Kusal Perera was infected with Corona even before his return. Sri Lanka has to play their first match in Asia Cup 2023 after 6 days. Sri Lanka will take on Bangladesh at Pallekele on August 31.

This is not the first time that Fernando and Kusal Pereira have been infected with the corona virus. Last year, before the ODI series between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, Fernando was tested for Corona. He was found to be infected even after taking a booster dose. Meanwhile, Kusal Perera also contracted the virus two years before the series against South Africa.

The Asia Cup, which will start from August 30, is being held in a hybrid format this time. Only 4 matches will be played in Pakistan and total 9 matches will be played including Sri Lanka final. The final match of the tournament will be held on September 17 at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Sri Lanka has been placed in Group-2 along with Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

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Last time Asia Cup 2023 was held in T20 format. Sri Lanka became the champion defeating Pakistan in the final. This time the tournament will be held in ODI format, after which the ODI World Cup will be held in India. In such a situation, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka teams will get a chance to test their preparation before the World Cup in the Asia Cup 2023.