Matheesha Pathirana

Role: Bowler

Batting Style: Right Handed Bat

Bowling Style: Right-arm fast

Country: Sri Lanka

Player profile for Matheesha Pathirana

Matheesha Pathirana is a promising Sri Lankan cricketer, known for his impressive pace bowling. He gained significant attention for his fast bowling abilities and potential at a young age. Here is a detailed overview of his career:

Full Name:

Matheesha Pathirana

Date of Birth:

November 18, 2002
Place of Birth: Kandy, Sri Lanka

Batting Style:

Right-handed

Bowling Style:

Right-arm fast

Role in the Team:

Bowler (Fast)

Early Life and Background:

Matheesha Pathirana was born in Kandy, Sri Lanka. He is considered a future talent for Sri Lanka’s fast-bowling department. His rise to prominence began in domestic and youth cricket, where he impressed with his pace, aggression, and consistency. His strong performances in youth cricket quickly got the attention of national selectors.

Domestic and Under-19 Career:

Pathirana first made a mark in the Under-19 cricket circuit, where he was noted for his fast bowling and aggressive mindset. He has represented Sri Lanka at the U-19 level and was one of the key bowlers in Sri Lanka’s squad during the 2020 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup.

His express pace and ability to bowl with speed and accuracy have made him one of Sri Lanka’s most exciting young fast bowlers.

International Career:

Matheesha Pathirana’s international career began with his selection in the Sri Lanka national team for limited-overs formats.

ODI Debut: He made his debut for Sri Lanka in ODIs in 2022, with the anticipation that his express pace could be an asset for the team, particularly in limited-overs formats.
T20I Debut: He made his T20I debut for Sri Lanka in 2022, showcasing his pace and aggression.

His playing style is often compared to that of other young fast bowlers, with his sharp bouncers and ability to bowl at over 140 km/h, which provides Sri Lanka with a much-needed pace option.

Indian Premier League (IPL) Career:

Matheesha Pathirana was picked by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 2022 IPL as a replacement for Adam Milne. Known for his fast deliveries and fiery pace, he caught the attention of IPL scouts due to his pace and wicket-taking abilities in the domestic circuit and youth cricket.

Though young, Pathirana’s IPL stint helped him gain international exposure, and playing under the guidance of CSK’s experienced coaching staff was seen as an opportunity for him to develop further. His action, similar to that of Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka’s legendary bowler), has intrigued many cricketing experts, with the hope that he could be Sri Lanka’s next big fast-bowling prospect.

Key Strengths:

Express Pace: Pathirana is known for his high pace, regularly bowling over 140 km/h, which makes him a threat to opposition batsmen.
Aggression: His aggressive bowling style and ability to bowl fast yorkers, bouncers, and varying deliveries make him difficult to face in the death overs.
Potential for Growth: As a young cricketer, Pathirana has enormous potential, and with the right guidance and experience, he could become a vital player for Sri Lanka’s future fast-bowling unit.
Similar Action to Malinga: His slingy bowling action, often compared to Lasith Malinga, gives him an edge in generating pace and accuracy.

Playing Style:

Pathirana’s playing style is based around fast and aggressive bowling. His slingy action allows him to generate extra bounce, while his pace makes him dangerous, especially in shorter formats. He is capable of bowling Yorkers, slower balls, and bouncers with great accuracy, making him a versatile fast bowler.

Future Prospects:

Matheesha Pathirana is considered one of the rising stars of Sri Lankan cricket. His development as a fast bowler is closely watched, with hopes that he will become a key player for Sri Lanka in both T20Is and ODIs. If he continues to hone his skills and stays injury-free, Pathirana could establish himself as a leading fast bowler in Sri Lanka’s national team.

Summary:

Matheesha Pathirana is a young, talented fast bowler from Sri Lanka, known for his express pace and aggressive bowling style. Born on November 18, 2002, in Kandy, he made his international debut in 2022. Pathirana has represented Sri Lanka in both ODIs and T20Is and is a part of the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. His fast deliveries, slingy action, and potential have made him one of Sri Lanka’s exciting young prospects. Pathirana’s pace and aggression are seen as key assets for Sri Lanka’s future in international cricket.