< >

Cricket World Player of the Week - Matheesha Pathirana

©CWM

Young Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana has emerged as the best death bowler in IPL 2023 and has a very bright future ahead of him.

Sri Lankan prodigy Matheesha Pathirana, who has fashioned his action on the legendary Lasith Malinga, has seen his stocks rising rapidly in world cricket after his consistent performances for CSK in IPL 2023 over the last month.

With the ability to hit 150 kmph on the speed gun, and a rich assortment of quick bumper, slower bouncer and pin-point yorker, Pathirana has played a big role in CSK's recent success in the IPL.

Another eye-catching performance from the Sri Lankan youngster came in the 49th game of the ongoing competition between the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings and the five-time champions Mumbai Indians at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, in which Chennai defeated Mumbai by six wickets, all thanks to Pathirana.

Pathirana bowled four overs in the game, all towards the end of the innings and took three wickets while conceding just 15 runs. He could have easily taken a 4-fer had Shivam Dube not dropped a sitter at long-on in his last over.

His performance earned him the Player of the Match award and an endorsement from skipper MS Dhoni, who opined that the 20-year-old should stick to the limited-overs format and stay away from red-ball cricket.

Pathirana's slingy action is obviously a plus for him, but the bowler is much more than just that. His ability to control his line and length despite an unorthodox action and deliver consistently is great news not only for CSK and Sri Lanka but world cricket as well.

Pathirana currently has 10 wickets from 7 matches in IPL 2023.

????????????!

A remarkable delivery from Pathirana to dismiss the well-set Wadhera ????????#TATAIPL | #CSKvMI pic.twitter.com/G9N2m6BeYQ
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 6, 2023