Matheesha Pathirana

A 17-year-old Matheesha Pathirana bowled a 175 kph delivery during an Under-19 World Cup game against India U19 at Bloemfontein, in 2020. Obviously, that was a technical glitch by the speed gun. However, the Sri Lankans made various headlines, not only due to the fault but for that effort ball. 

Dubbed as the Next Lasith Malinga, Pathirana also has a slinging bowling action and undoubtedly, some raw pace. In 2019, the youngster striked some limelight when he took 6 wickets for just 7 runs in a college match, while playing for Trinity College. He showcased his talent and also his bag full of skill sets as he bombarded a barrage of yorkers against the opposition batters. 

The following year, the young-slinger was named in the Sri Lanka U19 team for the World Cup in South Africa. He could play only two games in the tournament, but that was enough to grab the headlines. India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal was on the receiving end for that effort ball. It was a beautifully pitched short-length delivery around the off-stump against the right-hander, which went past the batter’s front shoulder through to the wicket-keeper.

Post the tournament, the young Lankan grabbed countless eyeballs and a couple of them were IPL scouts. Pathirana was picked by the three-time champions, Chennai Super Kings for the 2020 edition as a reverse player, even before he played a T20 game. 

In 2021, Pathirana played his maiden T20 when he represented SLC Greys during the SLC Invitational T20 League. If Sri Lanka Cricket nurtures the pacer well - he can serve them for a long, long time - as he has all the ingredients needed to become a successful all-format player.

(As of August 2021)