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‘Pathirana to Dhoni – Jo seekha hai aapse seekha hai’ – Fans react as Matheesha Pathirana takes four wickets against Sri Lanka in Asia Cup 2023
Sri Lanka pacer Matheesha Pathirana shone in his Asia Cup debut against Bangladesh. After winning the toss, the three-time finalists, Bangladesh decided to bat first. However, the Green Brigade had a poor start as they lost three wickets of 36 runs with Lankan spinners striking. Pathirana took one of these wickets in the form of skipper Shakib Al Hasan.
At 36/3, the likes of Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy put together 59 runs for the fourth wicket. The latter was trapped lbw by skipper Dasun Shanaka. After this, the likes of Mushfiqur Rahim and Shanto looked like taking the game deep. However, Pathirana removed Rahim and this triggered a collapse and the other bowlers came into the party as well. The Tigers ended up getting bowled out for 164 runs.
Pathirana ended up getting his maiden four-wicket haul, having made his ODI debut against Afghanistan last month.
Matheesha Pathirana made his name during IPL 2023
The former Sri Lanka U19 player made his IPL debut last year. At that point, his team, Chennai Super Kings was out of the tournament, being the defending champions. He was the replacement for Adam Milne late in the tournament. However, this year, after warming the bench for the first few games and Sisanda Magala getting injured, Pathirana started playing for the Yellow Brigade.
The Desert Vipers’ player in the International League T20 was given the role of bowling his three out of four overs in the last six overs phase. His first over used to be after the 10th over. His team ended up winning the title and will be the defending champion next year. Coming back to the ongoing game, the Asia Cup 2023 defending champions are set to win the game against Bangladesh. They need 31 runs with five wickets in hand and 16.3 overs remaining.
This is how Twitter reacted
Easy to see why Sri Lanka cricket, CSK and MS Dhoni are valuing Matheesha Pathirana so highly. He is still learning his craft. But he is learning quickly and will be a real handful in years to come.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) August 31, 2023
Matheesha Pathirana’s exploits in the IPL 2023 was commendable but his performance today has reiterated the skill upgrade he has made over the last 12 months. #SLvsBAN #AsiaCup
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) August 31, 2023
CSK Pays Them Only 90 Lacs 💛
☆ Maheesh Theekshana : 70 Lacs
☆ Matheesa Pathirana : 20 Lacs pic.twitter.com/O1WdpCEOT4— Junaid Khan (@JunaidKhanation) August 31, 2023
2 wickets for Theekshana at an economy of 2.4 and 4 wickets for Pathirana at an economy of 4.2. CSK bloods carry job tonight. pic.twitter.com/zIxX60vDad
— Heisenberg ☢ (@internetumpire) August 31, 2023
Matheesha Pathirana :
Overs – 7.4
Runs – 32
Wickets – 4Pathirana has already Surpassed Malinga's legacy. pic.twitter.com/YTqkfMRXRq
— ` (@rahulmsd_91) August 31, 2023
Matheesha Pathirana :-
Overs – 7.4
Runs – 32
Wickets – 4Maheesh Theeksana :-
Overs – 8
Runs – 19
Wickets – 2CSK Bloods Perform Everywhere They Go 💛💫. pic.twitter.com/C8BjEvsS8i
— Aufridi Chumtya (@ShuhidAufridi) August 31, 2023
Shanto's lone hand of 89 helps Bangladesh crawl to a meager first innings total of 164, having been bowled out in the 43rd over.
Sri Lanka's game to lose, who will be extremely pleased with IPL hero Matheesa Pathirana recording exceptional figures of 4/32 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
— Behram Qazi 🇵🇰 🇨🇦 (@DeafMango) August 31, 2023
Matheesha Pathirana on his Asia Cup debut today against Bangladesh
Overs – 7.4
Runs – 32
Wickets – 4
Eco rate – 4.2
Dot – 26– SK Raina had said during this year's IPL that Sri Lanka will benefit a lot in the future because Dhoni has groomed Pathirana!!! pic.twitter.com/6f1ycmm4GG
— ` bazball enjoyer (@kurkureter) August 31, 2023
Theekshana and Pathirana taking wickets for Srilanka but the “credits” for “Dhoni” pic.twitter.com/cOveYOMsN8
— عمیر (@umair_azmil) August 31, 2023
The only reason behind Pathirana’s performance in this match.
I won’t be surprised if he’s the best emerging player of World Cup pic.twitter.com/QTDZGMLqeI
— yang goi (@GongR1ght) August 31, 2023