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Sri Lanka's campaign in the Twenty20 World Cup on Monday suffered a blow with off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan being ruled out of the entire tournament due to a groin strain.
Muralitharan sustained the injury during his side's two-wicket defeat against New Zealand in the tournament opener in Providence, Guyana on Friday.
Team physiotherapist Tommy Simsek said Muralitharan has sustained a grade one strain on his right adductor muscle and will need up to three weeks' rest.
No replacement for 38-year-old spin wizard has been named by the Sri Lankan team management. Muralitharan took two wickets for 25 runs against New Zealand.
Muralitharan has more international wickets than any other cricketer with 792 in 132 Tests and 512 in 334 ODIs. He has 13 wickets in 10 Twenty20 Internationals.
Sri Lanka take on Zimbabwe on Monday in a must-win encounter to have any chance of advancing to the Super Eight stage.