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‘My Bowling Is Unpredictable..,’ Matheesha Pathirana After Dismantling BAN In Asia Cup

image-llzfeymlMatheesha Pathirana impresses with four-fer on Asia Cup debut (Twitter)

Sri Lankan speed demon Matheesha Pathirana dusted out the famed Bangladeshi batting line-up in their opening Group B game of the ongoing Asia Cup 2023. The youngster picked the key wickets of Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim before mopping up the tail to finish with 4-32, his career-best ODI figures.

After Sri Lankan batters Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka catered themselves to an easy win, Pathirana was fittingly adjudged as ‘Player of the Match’ for his efforts. 

Pathirana talks about implementing T20 skills in ODIs

Matheesha Pathirana expressed his excitement of claiming his first ‘Player of the Match’ award in international cricket. The youngster made his Sri Lankan debut a little more than a year ago in Dubai, and has so far turned up in five ODIs and a T20I for his country.

During the post-match presentation, the 20-year-old emphasised the importance of employing T20 skills in ODIs. He added that he was able to take wickets in the death overs because of his ability to deliver T20-styled slower balls.

Matheesha Pathirana further claimed that his ‘different’ bowling action often assists him in outfoxing opposition batters.

“This is my first man of the match title for my country, so really happy about it. Slower balls are important, that's why I took wickets in the death. Useful skill from T20s to fifty overs. My bowling is different so a little unpredictable.”

Pathirana will now turn up for Sri Lanka in their subsequent Asia Cup 2023 bout against Afghanistan. The match, set to be played on September 5 in Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, will conclude their Group B run of the competition.