Kulasekera to replace Maharoof

The national selectors yesterday named fast bowler Nuwan Kulasekera as the replacement for the injured Farveez Maharoof for on going Test series against Pakistan.

Kulasekera is expected to join the Sri Lanka squad in a couple of day's time andwill be available for the second Test which begins on March 1 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

He had a very successful series in Bangladesh and in the home series against India which helped him to climb into the second place in the International Cricket Council (ICC) player rankings in one day internationals.

All rounder Farveez Maharoof was ruled out of the two-Test series in Pakistan with a groin injury. He was overlooked for the first Test currently in progress in Karachi and returned home on Sunday.

Maharoof sustained the injury during a practice session before the first Test at Karachi's National Stadium. Maharoof, 24, has represented Sri Lanka in 20 Tests and 91 One Day Internationals since his debut in April 2004.

Maharoof is also a contracted player to the Delhi Daredevils in the high profile Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament.