‘Baby Malinga’ to Debue for Sri Lanka
Matheesha Pathirana in the Sri Lankan ODI squad: In preparation for the upcoming Cricket World Cup Qualifier, Sri Lanka has announced their squad for a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, aiming to fine-tune their skills and strategies.
One of the exciting prospects to watch out for is the emerging fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana, who could potentially make his ODI debut after an impressive performance in the recently concluded IPL season, where he played a vital role in Chennai Super Kings’ title-winning campaign.
Pathirana, often hailed as the ‘Baby Malinga’ due to his similar round-arm action to Lasith Malinga, has already earned his stripes in T20Is for Sri Lanka. However, he has yet to showcase his talents in the longer formats of the game. With his inclusion in the 16-member squad for the first two ODIs against Afghanistan, the young speedster has a golden opportunity to make his mark on the international stage.
Matheesha Pathirana in the Sri Lankan ODI squad- Dushmantha and Karunaratne to return
Apart from Matheesha Pathirana in the Sri Lankan ODI squad, Leading the pace attack for Sri Lanka will be the returning Dushmantha Chameera, who has recovered from a long injury layoff. Chameera’s experience and skill will be crucial in bolstering the team’s bowling lineup.
While Sri Lanka has focused on injecting young talent into the squad, they have also relied on the experience of Dimuth Karunaratne to strengthen their batting unit. Karunaratne, who last played an ODI for Sri Lanka in 2021, brings a wealth of experience to the team and will be a key player in their quest for success.
Perera is likely to miss
Though Matheesha Pathirana in the Sri Lankan ODI squad is a piece of happy news, Kusal Perera will miss out on the series due to a hamstring injury. This setback opens the door for Sadeera Samarawickrama to make his return to the ODI setup after a four-year hiatus.
As per the Matheesha Pathirana in the Sri Lankan ODI squad, Dasun Shanaka will lead the Sri Lankan squad in the ODI series, which kicks off on June 2 in Hambantota. This series serves as a crucial dress rehearsal for Sri Lanka as they gear up for the World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe.
While the Sri Lankan squad for the ODI World Cup Qualifiers is yet to be finalized, the team management aims to retain a significant portion of the core group that has shown promise in recent times. Sri Lanka, one of the former champions, finds themselves placed in Group B alongside Ireland, Scotland, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. Their campaign will commence on June 19 with a match against the UAE.
As they prepare for these crucial encounters, Matheesha Pathirana in the Sri Lankan ODI squad brings a refreshing energy to the team, signaling a promising future for Sri Lankan cricket.
The Sri Lankan squad vs Afghanistan
Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, and Kasun Rajitha, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya De Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha
For more, check out: Matheesha Pathirana in the Sri Lankan ODI squad
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