Sri Lanka | Bowler
Matheesha Pathirana is a professional Sri Lankan cricketer who currently plays limited overs cricket for the national team in limited over internationals. He has been referred to as “Baby Malinga”, as he has modelled his bowling action after Lasith Malinga.
| Full Name Matheesha Pathirana | Born December 18, 2002, Kandy | Age 22y 153d |
| Batting Style Right hand Bat | Bowling Style Right arm Fast | Playing Role Bowler |
TEAMS
Matheesha Pathirana: Sri Lanka’s Slinging Sensation – A Comprehensive Career Breakdown
Early Career & Domestic Beginnings
Matheesha Pathirana, born on December 18, 2002, in Kandy, Sri Lanka, emerged as a prodigious talent with a distinctive slingy bowling action , drawing immediate comparisons to Sri Lanka’s legendary Lasith Malinga 8. Initially, he honed his skills in local cricket, where his raw pace and unorthodox style caught the eye of scouts. However , his breakthrough came when he joined the T10 League , a fast-paced tournament that showcased his ability to deliver under pressure. His performances there earned him a spot in the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) , where Chennai Super Kings (CSK) acquired him, recognizing his potential as a death-over specialist 4.
Domestic Cricket Journey
Pathirana’s domestic career kicked off in August 2021 , representing Sri Lanka A and club teams. His early matches highlighted his knack for swinging the ball late and troubling batters with his low-trajectory yorkers and deceptive slower deliveries . Despite limited exposure at the time, his consistency in domestic T20s laid the foundation for his rapid ascent to the national team 9.
International Debut & Rise
Pathirana made his international debut for Sri Lanka in August 2022 during the Asia Cup , facing Afghanistan. Though he went wicketless in his first match, his ability to bowl at 145+ km/h and execute yorkers under pressure marked him as a future star 2. His first ODI wicket came against South Africa in 2023, where he dismissed David Miller with a pinpoint yorker, cementing his reputation as a death-bowling weapon 3. By 2025, he became a regular in Sri Lanka’s T20I and ODI squads, often entrusted with crucial overs.
IPL 2025: The CSK Star
Pathirana’s IPL journey began spectacularly in 2022 , where he took Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya in his first over against Gujarat Titans, becoming the first Sri Lankan to claim two wickets on IPL debut 7. By 2025, he had become CSK’s go-to death bowler, known for his “Malinga-like” accuracy and ability to defend small totals. In 30 IPL matches , he has taken 38 wickets at an economy of 8.9 , often turning games with his match-ending yorkers 5. His performances have drawn praise from fans and experts alike, with many dubbing him the “Next Malinga” .
Other T20 Leagues & T10 Impact
Before the IPL, Pathirana impressed in the T10 League (2021) , where his explosive pace and variations made him a standout. His T10 exploits acted as a springboard to the IPL, proving his adaptability across formats. While he has yet to feature in leagues like the BBL or PSL, his 2025 CSK contract ensures global visibility, increasing his chances of joining other franchises soon.
Strong Zones & Bowling Mastery
Pathirana’s strongest asset is his death-bowling repertoire . His slinging action generates awkward bounce, making it hard for batters to read his knuckleballs, slower cutters, and toe-crushing yorkers . He thrives in high-pressure chases, often targeting the off stump channel to restrict scoring. In 2025, his average death-over economy of 7.2 in the IPL ranks among the top 5 bowlers in the tournament .
Legacy & Future Potential
At just 22 years old , Pathirana has already redefined Sri Lanka’s fast-bowling landscape. Moreover , his ability to replicate Malinga’s death-bowling magic has reignited hopes for a new era of Sri Lankan pacers. With 15+ international wickets in 2025 alone , he is poised to become a mainstay in the national team , potentially leading the attack in the 2026 T20 World Cup . His journey from a T10 unknown to an IPL star underscores his relentless work ethic and adaptability, setting the stage for a legendary career.
Matheesha Pathirana Career Stats
Bowling
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 12 | 12 | 508 | 616 | 17 | 4/32 | 4/32 | 36.23 | 7.27 | 29.8 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 19 | 18 | 344 | 484 | 30 | 4/24 | 4/24 | 16.13 | 8.44 | 11.4 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| FC | 2 | 3 | 150 | 80 | 5 | 4/46 | 4/54 | 16.00 | 3.20 | 30.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| List A | 22 | 21 | 879 | 1011 | 28 | 4/32 | 4/32 | 36.10 | 6.90 | 31.3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| T20s | 89 | 88 | 1780 | 2520 | 124 | 4/20 | 4/20 | 20.32 | 8.49 | 14.3 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Batting & Fielding
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 12 | 7 | 2 | 11 | 5 | 2.20 | 35 | 31.42 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| T20Is | 19 | 9 | 4 | 17 | 6 | 3.40 | 32 | 53.12 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| FC | 2 | 3 | 1 | 15 | 11 | 7.50 | 26 | 57.69 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| List A | 22 | 13 | 6 | 20 | 5* | 2.85 | 81 | 24.69 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| T20s | 89 | 16 | 8 | 35 | 8 | 4.37 | 60 | 58.33 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 23 | 0 |
Matheesha Pathirana T20 Stats
Bowling
| Tournament | Teams | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | CSK | 30 | 30 | 671 | 965 | 46 | 4/28 | 4/28 | 20.97 | 8.62 | 14.5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| SA20 | JSK | 6 | 6 | 102 | 178 | 3 | 1/26 | 1/26 | 59.33 | 10.47 | 34.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| LPL | CLS | 17 | 17 | 355 | 505 | 27 | 4/20 | 4/20 | 18.70 | 8.53 | 13.1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| ILT20 | DV | 11 | 11 | 252 | 366 | 12 | 3/28 | 3/28 | 30.50 | 8.71 | 21.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Batting & Fielding
| Tournament | Teams | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | CSK | 30 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 8 | 0 |
| SA20 | JSK | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4* | – | 3 | 133.33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| LPL | CLS | 17 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 8 | 5.00 | 18 | 55.55 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| ILT20 | DV | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1.00 | 5 | 20.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
Debut/Last Matches of Matheesha Pathirana
ODI Matches
Debut
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan at Hambantota – June 02, 2023
Last
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan at Hyderabad – October 10, 2023
T20I Matches
Debut
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan at Dubai (DICS) – August 27, 2022
Last
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka at Mount Maunganui – December 30, 2024
FC Matches
Debut
Nugegoda SWC vs Nondescripts at Colombo (NCC) – October 07 – 09, 2022
Last
Nondescripts vs Chilaw CC at Colombo (NCC) – November 11 – 13, 2022
List A Matches
Debut
Nondescripts vs Negombo at Katunayake – November 13, 2021
Last
Colombo vs Jaffna at Dambulla – October 06, 2024
T20 Matches
Debut
Greys vs SLC Blues at Pallekele – August 22, 2021
Last
KKR vs CSK at Eden Gardens – May 07, 2025
2025 IPL TEAM
Delhi Capitals Sunrisers Hyderabad Rajasthan Royals Chennai Super kings Gujrat Titans Kolkata knight Riders Lucknow Super Giants Mumbai Indians Punjab Kings Royal Challengers Bengaluru