Sri Lanka's opening batsman Dhanushka Gunathilaka suffered a back injury and was ruled out of the upcoming Asian Cup tournament on Thursday, dealing a major blow to the islanders.

Sri Lanka Cricket said the 27-year-old left-hand bat will return home from Dubai where he suffered a lower-back injury during practice. The tournament opens on Saturday in Dubai. He will be replaced by left-hand bat Shehan Jayasuriya, 27.