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Player of the match and series Pathum Nissanka
By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
Pathum Nissanka has been threatening to do big things for some time but has never been able to deliver. He was Sri Lanka’s most consistent run scorer in the 2023 Cricket World Cup accumulating 332 runs (avg. 41.50) with a strike rate of nearly 90, but despite scoring four half-centuries was never able to convert any of them into a huge innings.
But a few words with Sri Lanka’s newly appointed batting coach Thilina Kandamby changed all of that. Nissanka looked unstoppable in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against Afghanistan where his scores were 210*, 18 and 118, contributions that helped his team make a whitewash of the series 3-0. Nissanka took the Player of the Match award twice and crowned it with the Player of the Series award accumulating 346 runs (avg 173.00). He broke several Sri Lankan batting records becoming the first player from his country to score a double century in ODI cricket. His aggregate of 346 was the highest by a Sri Lankan and only the fourth highest in ODI cricket. He also became the fastest Sri Lankan to 2000 ODI runs getting there in 52 innings, 11 quicker than the previous holder and the present chairman of selectors Upul Tharanga.
“To be honest, nothing much. It’s just that I told him to keep it simple, have a free mindset and to express himself. Other than that, there is nothing wrong with his batting basically,” said Kandamby.
“There were a few tactical areas we talked about. To get to 200 they never had their sights set on achieving that. I showed him areas which he has not explored and a path where he can expand. Worked with him on his mental side. What I feel is at the moment the batters are free to go and express themselves. It has also got a lot to do with the type of wickets prepared for the series. It’s good for the bowlers also.”
A man of a few words Nissanka when asked about his double century said, “I had a dream to score a double hundred. Didn’t think I could do this early. Very pleasing. Great support from the team. I want to minimise my mistakes and keep improving. Our batting coach Thilina Kandamby, is a very good coach.”
“I take all the positives from my teammates. There are things that I cannot do, and I learn from others. We have a good training schedule. These are very good wickets that we are playing on. We didn’t get these kinds of surfaces to bat on previously. It improves the batsmen’s game and bowlers too learn to bowl on these types of wickets. We are in a better place as a team, we did a lot of good things. All-round we were very good and were able to win the series.”
Nissanka was one of the few batsmen who scored over 1000 ODI runs in a calendar year in 2023. When asked about his targets he has set himself Nissanka replied, “I just want to contribute the best to my team. That’s my target. I would like to be the best batsman in the world. I will do my best to get there. I have a few targets but don’t want to reveal them. I will keep it to myself.”
Despite being at the top of his game in white ball cricket Nissanka still prefers Test cricket most.
“If I get another chance, I would like to grab that opportunity with both hands. I had a good domestic season and confidence levels are high.”
The 25-year-old right-hander has played in only 9 Tests since making his debut in 2021 in the West Indies. His last appearance was in July 2022 against Australia at Galle.
