'Under-observation' Kapugedera unlikely to feature in fourth ODI

Sri Lanka's middle-order batsman Chamara Kapugedera is under observation after being accidentally struck by a ball during the third ODI against Pakistan in UAE on Wednesday (October 18).

During the tenth over of the Pakistani innings, wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella threw the ball towards Kapugedera, but the fielder had no idea that the ball was coming towards him. He got struck under his right eye before being taken to the hospital. Eventually, he didn't return to the field for the remainder of the game.

"Chamara is under observation. There is no fracture thankfully, but there is a massive swelling on his face," Sri Lanka's Manager Asanka Gurusinha told Cricbuzz on Thursday (October 19).

Kapugedera is unlikely to play the fourth ODI in Sharjah but he is expected to feature in the last game on Monday. The right-handed top order batsman Sadeera Samarawickrama is expected to make his ODI debut on Friday after having been flown in on Wednesday as an additional player after the team management thought that the team was thin on batting depth.

The 22-year-old Samarawickrama is highly regarded in Sri Lanka, especially after being named the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year in 2014. He was also the highest run-getter in domestic cricket last season.

Sri Lanka are trailing the five-match series 3-0 and have lost their last ten ODIs.