Pathum bats into greatness

India were the first team to book their ticket to the Asia Cup final and before the last Super Four clash, had barely broken sweat. Many reckoned that India's fire-breathing bowling attack was simply too hot for anyone to handle. That was until Pathum Nissanka walked in, took guard and silenced the hype with a knock that tugged at heartstrings and stamped him as a modern-day great in the making. Right now, you'd argue he’s the best all-format batter in world cricket.

- REX CLEMENTINE IN DUBAI

The Indians doffed their caps to his innings. So did their fans and the press box scribes. You could almost sense that the billionaire IPL barons in Bombay, Delhi, Calcutta and Madras were scribbling his name in their little black books. A bumper franchise deal seems only a few months away for the prolific opener.

On Friday night, Pathum was batting on a different wicket altogether. He cut and pulled the quicks with authority, and with nimble footwork danced down to spinners, treating them with disdain. It was only the fourth century by a Sri Lankan in T20 internationals, a club that already houses Mahela Jayawardene, T.M. Dilshan and Kusal Janith Perera.