Raipur: In a huge blow to Southern Express, representing Sri Lanka in the Champions League T20, their ace batsman Tillekaratne Dilshan has pulled out of the contest due to “personal reasons”.

“I have been informed today that Dilshan won’t be participating in the CLT20 due to personal reasons. So that’s all the information we have got for now,” said the manager of Southern Express, Shane Fernando, at a press conference here on Thursday.

Southern Express, who only have a few senior players in their squad, are already facing a tough time in the absence of star pacer Lasith Malinga. Malinga has decided to play for Mumabi Indians.