BAN vs SL: Ian Bishop, Ravichandran Ashwin Hail Matheesha Pathirana As He Breaks Chaminda Vaas' Historic Record On Asia Cup Debut

The 20-year-old Sri Lanka National Cricket Team right-arm pacer Matheesha Pathirana, who is also known as Baby Malinga for slingy bowling action, delivered an outstanding bowling performance on his debut in the Asia Cup tournament.

Matheesha Pathirana made his Asia Cup debut in the second match of the 2023 edition of the continental tournament against the Bangladesh National Cricket Team at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Thursday, August 31.

The young pacer, who burst into fame with his appearance for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL), wasn’t very accurate with his lines and lengths initially, but once he got going, he looked threatening with the ball.

He started off by picking the big wicket of Shakib Al Hasan and then yet another veteran Mushfiqur Rahim became his second scalp. He then cleaned up Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman to wrap up the innings for 164. The pacer finished his spell with impressive figures of 7.4-0-32 -4.

At 20 years and 256 days, Pathirana became the youngest Sri Lanka bowler to take a 4-wicket haul in ODIs. He went past the record of the Sri Lanka great Chaminda Vaas, who achieved the feat at 20 years and 280 days when he took 4/20 against Zimbabwe in Harare in 1994.

Easy to see why Sri Lanka cricket, CSK, and MS Dhoni are valuing Matheesha Pathirana so highly – Ian Bishop

After the 20-year-old pacer rattled the Bangladesh batting unit, former West Indies player Ian Bishop lauded Pathirana and said that his performance on his Asia Cup debut was the reason why MS Dhoni, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and Sri Lanka value the quick so highly.

“Easy to see why Sri Lanka cricket, CSK and MS Dhoni are valuing Matheesha Pathirana so highly. He is still learning his craft. But he is learning quickly and will be a real handful in years to come,” wrote Bishop.

Easy to see why Sri Lanka cricket, CSK and MS Dhoni are valuing Matheesha Pathirana so highly. He is still learning his craft. But he is learning quickly and will be a real handful in years to come.

— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) August 31, 2023

India veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also showered rich praise on Pathirana and said that the pacer has upgraded his skills in the last one year.

“Matheesha Pathirana’s exploits in the IPL 2023 was commendable but his performance today has reiterated the skill upgrade he has made over the last 12 months. #SLvsBAN #AsiaCup,” Ravichandran Ashwin wrote.

Matheesha Pathirana’s exploits in the IPL 2023 was commendable but his performance today has reiterated the skill upgrade he has made over the last 12 months. #SLvsBAN #AsiaCup

— Ashwin ?? (@ashwinravi99) August 31, 2023

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka won the match by a margin of 5 wickets against Bangladesh with 66 balls remaining and Pathirana was awarded Player of the Match for his impressive showing.