Injured Dananjaya doubtful for West Indies clash

Akila Dananjaya, the Sri Lanka spinner, is doubtful for the World Twenty20 Super Eights match against West Indies on Saturday after suffering an injury to his face during Thursday's game against New Zealand in Pallekele.

The team management said that X-rays and MRI scans have revealed that Dananjaya had suffered a fracture on his left cheek bone as a result of the blow.

"Akila is in pain and is on antibiotics at the moment," Sri Lanka media manager Rajith Fernando said. "The left side of his face is swollen and he has difficulty opening his mouth. He is on a liquid diet."

Dananjaya, who made his international debut at the age of 18, was hit on the face by a full-blooded drive from New Zealand opener Rob Nicol, with the ball going through his hands to strike the left side of his face.

Dananjaya continued to bowl after treatment on the field with cotton up his nose to stop the bleeding and finished with figures of 2 for 32, the best bowling figures from both sides.

"The team management will take a call on Akila depending on how fit he will be to take the field for tomorrow's game," Fernando said.

Sri Lanka went on to win the match in the Super Over eliminator after the two teams had tied at the total of 174.