SL vs AFG: Matheesha Pathirana dismisses Rahmat Shah to claim maiden ODI wicket on debut

Matheesha Pathirana and Dushan Hemantha. (Photo Source : Twitter)

Sri Lankan prodigy Matheesha Pathirana, who got his maiden ODI cap during his side’s series opener against Afghanistan, managed an important breakthrough for the Lankans to claim his maiden international wicket. Pathirana dismissed Rahmat Shah after a solid half-century to provide a glimmer of hope for the home side. 

The 20-year-old pacer from Kandy is dubbed ‘Baby Malinga’ due to his slingy action, which is eerily similar to his bowling inspiration and icon, Lasith Malinga. Pathirana shone for his IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings during the Yellow Army’s fifth IPL title triumph in the recently concluded IPL 2023, becoming the youngest overseas player to lift the coveted trophy.

However, it wasn’t a smooth start in the 50-over format for the talented pacer, as he was taken for 17 runs in his second over in ODI cricket. He was erratic with his line, constantly pushing the deliveries down the leg side, an issue that troubled him during the 16th edition of the IPL as well.

But the young pacer was not bogged down despite being taken for plenty of runs in his first spell. He came back strongly in the second spell and got rid of the well-set Rahmat Shah with a well-directed short ball to scalp his first wicket at the international arena. Rahmat’s wicket came at the right moment for the home side as the Afghans were running away with the game in the second innings.

It is worth noting that this is the Kandy-born pacer’s second appearance for Sri Lanka at the top level as he made his international debut in a T20I game against the same opposition at the Dubai International Stadium last year. However, he failed to dislodge any batter in that game, conceding 16 runs in his solitary over.