HAS SRI LANKA DISMANTLED MATHEESHA PATHIRANA?

Having played in the most competitive franchise cricket league in the world, the Indian Premier League (IPL) even before his debut for Sri Lanka, Matheesha Pathirana was primed to be the next big thing in Sri Lankan pace bowling history. But fast forward two years, he finds himself in a situation where he’d be incredibly lucky to be included in the squad for T20 World Cup.

- ByHARSHAAMARASINGHE

Matheesha Pathirana

Pathirana who wasn’t regularly featured for Sri Lanka in the last few months, made a comeback on the tour of Zimbabwe but could barely hit the same levels in his only appearance of the Asia Cup. He looks totally different to the bowler he once was.

So from the teenager who rattled the best batsmen in the world in the shortest format, how has the slinger gone on to become a very less impactful bowler?

When analysing Pathirana, it’s really important to have a look at what really did work for him initially when he was discovered by one of sport’s greatest captains MS Dhoni.