Asia Cup 2023: Virat Kohli And Rohit Sharma Snubbed As Matheesha Pathirana Calls Babar Azam The Number One Batsman In The World

Sri Lanka youngster Matheesha Pathirana might have played only 5 international games so far but the highly-rated pacer has played against almost all of the leading batsmen in the world thanks to playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The 20-year-old plies his trade for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. He made his debut for the Chennai-based outfit last year but managed to play only 2 games as Chennai Super Kings endured a terrible campaign and finished in the ninth position in the 10-team competition.

However, the right-arm pacer played a key role for the MS Dhoni-led side in IPL this year. He played 12 matches in IPL 2023 and picked up an impressive 19 wickets to help Chennai Super Kings win the IPL for the fifth time. The youngster led CSK’s pace attack brilliantly throughout the competition.

Matheesha Pathirana picks the best batsman in the world:

Thanks to playing in the IPL, Matheesha Pathirana has played against some of the best batsmen in the world like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jos Buttler, David Warner, Shubman Gill, and many more. He could not play with or against any Pakistani player in the IPL but has got the opportunity to do so in the Lanka Premier League.

The pacer is currently plying his trade for Colombo Strikers in the tournament and as many as four Pakistan stars are part of the team. The players are – Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Mohammad Nawaz. And after playing against or with almost all of the leading batsmen in the world, Matheesha Pathirana has picked Babar Azam as the best batsman in the world at present.

He made the revelation during a recent interaction while speaking about the Pakistani players. Matheesha Pathirana revealed how the likes of Babar and Naseem always remain ready to help him out.

“At this moment, Babar Azam is the number one batsman in the world. I got three more players – Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Iftikhar Ahmed – it’s a pleasure to have the chance to play with them. If I go and ask any question from Babar or Naseem, they will teach me and they will tell what I need to do. This is a good chance for youngsters like us in Sri Lanka,” said Matheesha Pathirana.

At this moment, Babar Azam is the No. 1 batter in the world: Matheesha Pathirana#BabarAzam? #BabarAzam #LPL2023
pic.twitter.com/Y8nuKRY6ww

— Shaharyar Ejaz ? (@SharyOfficial) August 16, 2023