In the wake of the IPL’s latest season, where young talent often emerges as tomorrow’s cricketing heroes, Sri Lanka’s Matheesha Pathirana was being touted as one such future star, poised to dominate the field. His almost magical rise during the intense competitive phase of the IPL 2023, where he represented the lauded Chennai Super Kings, captivated many. Under the mentorship of the legendary MS Dhoni, Pathirana exhibited a brand of brilliance that earmarked him as one to watch.
Nevertheless, since those halcyon days of promise and spotlight, the subsequent nine months have witnessed a stark reversal of fortune for this young bowler when he donned the national colors. Plagued by a myriad of misfortunes, Pathirana has grappled with an array of challenges, particularly during the ODI World Cup, which has been less than forgiving to the burgeoning pacer.
The problematic spell continued for Pathirana in the recent T20 International against Bangladesh. With Sri Lanka setting a formidable target of 206 runs, the Lankans initially seemed in control, with their opponents staggering at 68 for the loss of 4 wickets. Pathirana himself contributed to this dominant phase, delivering an impressive wicket-taking over that cost merely two runs. However, the tide would turn dramatically.
As Bangladesh’s Mahmudullah and Jaker Ali delivered robust T20 performances, the Sri Lankan grip on the game began to wane, with pressure mounting on the players. The young Pathirana, shouldering the burden of the team’s expectations, succumbed to the stress of the situation. It was a night where control eluded him, resulting in nine wides and three no-balls. This 36-ball spell in a T20I saw his initial economical figures balloon to a costly 1/56 by the end of his four overs.
The game hung in the balance as Bangladesh, invigorated by Pathirana’s erratic spell, now required a gettable 106 runs from the remaining eight overs. As the match approached its climax, Bangladesh seemed poised for a win with just 12 runs needed in the final over and Jaker Ali at the crease.
However, it was Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka who emerged as the architect of salvation for his team. With unshakeable resolve and impeccable execution of plans, Shanaka steered Sri Lanka out of the brink, enabling them to claim a narrow and dramatic victory, leading the series.
The commendations of the night were shared with Bangladesh’s stand-out performers, Mahmudullah and Ali, who each smashed spirited fifties. Of particular note was Jaker Ali, who, in only his fourth international match, played with the audacity of a seasoned pro, unfurling power-hitting that dazzled the spectators. His valiant 68 runs from 34 deliveries, however, fell short as Bangladesh ended the game 3 runs shy of the target.
The match, nonetheless, will be etched as a somber chapter in the career of Matheesha Pathirana, who is set to once again join the Chennai Super Kings in the next season of IPL. As the young sportsman sets his sights on the future, the cricketing fraternity will watch with keen interest to see if he can overcome this setback and realize his full potential as he navigates the unpredictable tides of international cricket.
