Matheesha Pathirana Earns SL ODI Call-up for Outstanding IPL Form

NEW DELHI: Matheesha Pathirana, a pacer for the Chennai Super Kings and winner of the Indian Premier League in 2023 has received recognition for his outstanding performance. The Sri Lankan team has chosen to play Afghanistan in an ODI series and has called up the 20-year-old death bowling expert. For the first two games of a three-match series against Afghanistan at home, Sri Lanka on Tuesday revealed a 16-member roster. Ahead of the ODI World Cup in India in 2023, the island nation is preparing.

The Sri Lanka Cricket Board tweeted, "SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT. The 16-person Sri Lankan ODI team has been announced for the first two games of the ODI series against Afghanistan, which begin on June 2.

Notably, Pathirana, who is referred to as "Baby Malinga" for his slingly bowling motion, has represented Sri Lanka in T20Is but has not yet made his debut in longer formats. If he receives a cap, he will play in his first ODI.

Dushmantha Chameera, who had been away from the squad for a while due to injuries, will now serve as the pace battery's leader. After playing in his final ODI match in 2021, batter Dimuth Karunaratne has also been called. Notably, Sadeera Samarawickrama rejoins the 50-over format after a four-year absence as Kusal Perera is sidelined by a hamstring injury. Team captain Dasun Shanaka leads the group.

As they didn't get a direct entry for the World Cup, the series is important for Sri Lanka as they start getting ready for the ODI World Cup Qualifier. In the ICC World Cup Super League, Sri Lanka placed 10th, two spots outside of the slot that would have qualified it automatically. In order to play the quadrennial competition in India, players must now take a longer trip.

Beginning on June 2, a three-match series between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will be contested, with the subsequent games taking place on June 4 and 6, respectively. Zimbabwe is the location of the World Cup qualifier. From June 18 to July 9, it will be performed.

First two ODI teams vs. Afghanistan:

Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya De Silva, Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, and Kasun Rajitha are the other members of the team.

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