Colombo: Fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana looks set to boost Sri Lanka’s chances in the T20 World Cup by taking on the world’s strongest batsmen with his leg-breaking yorkers in the Indian Premier League.
The 21-year-old, nicknamed ‘Baby Malinga’ for his orthodox swing style reminiscent of match-maker Lasith Malinga, has played just 12 ODIs and six T20s for Sri Lanka, but has established himself as a post-death specialist.
Pathirana took 13 wickets in just six matches for Chennai Super Kings this IPL season before returning home early due to possible injuries to his Sri Lankan teammates.
But the bowler seems to have left for the 20-over tour with the Wanindu Hasaranga-led Sri Lankan team in the West Indies and the United States on June 1.
has shown (an) unplayable death control delivery skill,” said Clementine.
Malinga is also excited at the prospect of seeing the young tyrant use his “speed and yorker”.
“He is very positive in the game. This is not something we can teach him. It is natural. He is fearless even in his first year in the IPL.
“If you talk about what we need right now, he has the ability to do it.
“He has the ability to make decisions. He is very open-minded.”
Sri Lankan top bowler Upul Tharanga backed the youngster to block opposition bowler and 29-year-old pacer Nuwan Tushara in the last 29 overs.
The prospect of seeing the two side by side is exciting for Malinga.
“In the T20 format, you always talk about the over-corer because that’s the ball that stops six men.”
Pathirana returned figures of 4-28 in Chennai’s 20-run win over Mumbai Indians this season, picking up man of the match and eclipsing India captain Rohit Sharma’s century.
In the eighth innings, T20 specialist Suryakumar took crucial wickets, then came back at the death to bowl Romario Chopa with his trademark catch.
Since joining Chennai, Pathirana has consistently impressed in the world’s most popular T20 league and his performances have been praised by team mastermind M.S. Dhoni is a former Indian captain.
“Cricket basically played the role of a father in my life,” says Pathirana on his Chennai-based YouTube channel.
“He always looked after me and gave me advice on what to do – he was like my father at home,” she said.
“He only tells me little things, but it makes a big difference and gives me a lot of confidence.”
Dhoni last year suggested that Pathiran should stay away from Tests to focus mainly on the 20-over format.
His father also became a television favorite with his arms crossed and skyward wicket celebration, which he claimed he modeled after Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
2014 champions Sri Lanka kick off their World Cup campaign against South Africa in New York on June 3 and will take on Bangladesh, Nepal and the Netherlands in the group stage.
