Sat Jan 11 02:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Sri Lankan Opener Pathum Nissanka Injured During Century Chase in Auckland ODI
**Auckland, New Zealand –** Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka suffered a painful injury during the third and final ODI against New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday, January 11th. The injury occurred while attempting a single to reach his half-century.
Nissanka was in scintillating form, smashing 49 runs off just 29 balls before the incident. While successfully completing the run, he sustained an injury severe enough to force him to leave the field in the 10th over. Medical staff attended to him on the pitch, and though he eventually returned to the crease in the 35th over, he was clearly hampered, eventually departing for 66 (42 balls).
Sri Lanka, already having lost the series after two consecutive defeats, chose to bat first after winning the toss. Nissanka’s explosive start, alongside his opening partner, provided a strong foundation. However, his injury disrupted the momentum. Despite a later partnership between Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis, Sri Lanka’s innings faltered after Nissanka’s departure, eventually finishing on 290/8 in their allotted 50 overs. The match result is not specified in the provided text.
First Piper 