Matheesha Pathirana
Right Handed
Right-arm fast
Batting
Bowling
personal information
“Sri Lanka’s quest for a pace bowler who can fill the void left by Lasith Malinga’s retirement has proven to be a challenging endeavour. While they boast world-class spinners in the form of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, their bowling attack often lacks the firepower needed when conditions are not conducive to spin. Matheesha Pathirana emerges as a potential solution to this long-standing issue, although it may be premature to expect him to lead the attack at the upcoming World Cup, considering his stage of development.
Pathirana has already displayed his mettle in various franchise leagues worldwide, showcasing his ability to remain composed and execute under immense pressure, particularly in the death overs. What sets him apart is not only his skill but also his bowling action, reminiscent of the legendary Malinga.
Malinga’s unorthodox, slingy action and lively pace often perplexed batsmen, even those who had faced him numerous times in his prime. Although Pathirana is yet to reach his full potential, his natural pace poses a significant challenge for batsmen. In his T20 career, he has excelled at the death, where batsmen are expected to accelerate, and he has reaped the rewards. However, transitioning this success to the ODI format presents a different set of challenges, where creating breakthroughs during the middle overs will be a crucial test for Pathirana’s evolution as a world-class bowler.
His fledgling ODI career has been modest thus far, amassing four wickets in four matches at an economy rate of 6.48. It is clear that he is still finding his footing on the international stage.
Innings to remember: 2/18 vs. Zimbabwe at Bulawayo, 2023
One more thing: Beyond his cricketing prowess, it’s worth noting that Matheesha Pathirana possesses diverse talents. He is a pianist and singer, having achieved a grade six certification in the Royal College of Music examinations. His musical roots run deep, with both his mother and father having played in bands. Additionally, his eldest sister is a pianist, and the second sister is a guitarist.”