Matheesha Pathirana

21-year-old Matheesha Pathirana represents Sri Lanka in limited overs cricket. He was born on the 18th of December 2002, in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Pathirana is a right-arm fast bowler and right-handed batsman. He has been nicknamed by fans as Baby Malinga, because his bowling action resembles Lasith Malinga's sling action.

Pathirana made his international debut for Sri Lanka against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup in August 2022. Additionally, he was an integral part of Sri Lanka's U19 World Cup squads in 2020 and 2022.

Matheesha Pathirana: Along the Years

Matheesha Pathirana Records

• Pathirana delivered an unimaginable delivery against India at the 2020 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, bowling at an incredible 175 kmph (108 mph). When it was first reported, this was the fastest delivery recorded in any level of international cricket. However, the record was later changed as a result of a measuring system glitch.

• Youngest Sri Lankan Bowler to Take 4 Wickets in a T20I Match. This feat was achieved in February 2024 against Afghanistan.

• The ninth bowler to take wicket on the very first ball in an IPL debut, dismissing Shubman Gill of GT in 2022

• Key bowler in the CSK squad that won the 2023 IPL trophy. Pathirana was the youngest overseas player to lift the trophy.

Matheesha Pathirana Awards and Accolades

Matheesha Pathirana Career

A 21-year-old bowler for Sri Lanka, Matheesha Pathirana began playing domestic cricket in August 2021 and international cricket in 2022. He is renowned for bowling in a style similar to Lasith Malinga. Additionally, he plays in all domestic cricket formats and is a part of the Sri Lankan T20I team for international cricket.

In state cricket, he plays for the Nondescripts squad, while in the Indian Premier League , he plays for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

Matheesha Pathirana Domestic Career

Pathirana made his domestic debut in 2021, while competing in the SLC Invitational T20 League. He made it in the SLC Greys 2021 SLC Invitational T20 League squad in August 2021. On the 22nd of August 2021, he played his first T20 match for SLC Greys in the SLC Invitational T20 League. On October 7, 2022, Pathirana made his First-Class Debut at the Nugegoda SWC vs. Nondescripts match at Colombo (NCC).

Matheesha Pathirana IPL Career

He signed a contract with the Chennai Super Kings in April 2022 as a substitute for Adam Milne in the Indian Premier League of 2022. It was disclosed that MS Dhoni's influence facilitated Pathirana's signing to the Chennai Super Kings for the 2022 season. Dhoni reportedly watched video footage of Pathirana bowling at a Kandy local school cricket tournament in 2021. In addition, Dhoni stated that he would like to see Pathirana play in the Indian Premier League in 2021. He then sent a letter requesting that Pathirana get vaccinated and travel to the United Arab Emirates to play with the CSK squad during the most severe phase of the COVID-19 outbreak.

In the 2022 Indian Premier League, he made his debut against the Gujarat Titans. He became the first Sri Lankan and the ninth player overall to take a wicket (Shubman Gill) off his first ball in the IPL. As a member of CSK's victory in the 2023 IPL, he became the youngest overseas player to win an IPL tournament. He also had a great finish to the 2023 Indian Premier League season, taking 19 wickets in 12 matches at an economy of 8.01, and proving to be an effective death over bowler.

Matheesha Pathirana International Career

Pathirana has represented Sri Lanka in the ODI as well as T20 international matches since 2022. In the 12 games he has played so far in his ODI career, Matheesha Pathirana has claimed 17 wickets at an average of 36.24 with a best individual figure of 4 for 32.

In the six T20 matches he has played so far in his international career, Matheesha Pathirana has claimed 11 wickets at an average of 17.09 and his best individual figures of 4 for 24.

Matheesha Pathirana ODI Career

He was included in the ODI and T20I squads for the series against New Zealand in March 2023. On June 2, 2023, he played his debut ODI match against Afghanistan. He dismissed Rahmat Shah to take his first ODI wicket.

Pathirana was one of the fifteen players announced by Sri Lanka Cricket in June 2023 for their ICC ODI World Cup.

Matheesha Pathirana Test Career

Matheesha Pathirana has not played any Test match for Sri Lanka as of April 2024.

Matheesha Pathirana T20I Career

Pathirana was included in Sri Lanka's T20I Asia Cup squad in August 2022. On August 27, 2022, he played his debut T20I match against Afghanistan.

In the first T20 International against Afghanistan, Pathirana bowled a match-winning spell (4/24), which included 2 wickets in the final over. In the end, Sri Lanka won by 4 runs, and he was awarded the Player of the Match.

Matheesha Pathirana Captaincy

As of 2024 Matheesha Pathirana has not captained the Indian national team or any IPL franchise in his career so far.

Matheesha Pathirana Under-19 Career

Matheesha Pathirana played in the 2020 and 2022 for Sri Lanka in the Under-19 Cricket World Cup tournaments. At the 2020 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, Pathirana bowled at an astounding delivery at 175 kmph (108 mph) against Yashasvi Jaiswal of India. This was the fastest delivery ever seen in any level of international cricket when it was initially reported. However, an error in the measuring equipment eventually led to a change in the record.

Matheesha Pathirana Family

Matheesha Pathirana, a Sri Lankan cricketer, hails from a middle-class family with musical background. His mother was the rhythm guitarist for the "Salalihiniyo" band, his sisters Vishuka and Tharindi play the piano and guitar, respectively. His father Anura Pathirana used to be a guitarist in a band. In addition, Matheesha is a talented pianist and singer.

Matheesha Pathirana Net Worth

There are no precise and genuine sources to confirm the net worth of Pathirana.