August 31, 2025
Pathum Nissanka – The Rising Star of Sri Lankan Cricket
Pathum Nissanka Silva, born on 18 May 1998 in Galle, Sri Lanka, has quickly established himself as one of the most dependable and stylish batters of the modern era. Known for his elegance, temperament, and ability to play long innings, Nissanka has become a vital cog in Sri Lanka’s batting line-up across formats. Since his international debut in 2021, he has broken records, carried the team’s batting on several occasions, and etched his name into cricket history with Sri Lanka’s first-ever ODI double-century.
Early Life & Education
Raised in Galle, Nissanka’s cricketing journey began at a young age. He studied at Isipathana College, Colombo, where his talent was nurtured through school-level cricket. His strong performances in youth and domestic competitions quickly marked him as one of the brightest prospects in Sri Lanka.
Domestic Career
Pathum’s rise in domestic cricket was nothing short of phenomenal:
- Represented Badureliya Sports Club and Nondescripts Cricket Club in first-class cricket.
- Featured in several franchise leagues including Colombo Stars, Kandy Falcons, Rangpur Riders, Colombo Strikers, Bangla Tigers, Jaffna Kings, and Fortune Barishal.
- In 2019, playing for Sri Lanka A against Ireland A, he finished as the leading run-scorer with 258 runs in two matches.
- In the 2018–19 Premier League Tournament, he crossed the 1,000-run milestone, finishing with 1,088 runs in just seven matches, further cementing his spot as an international contender.
His domestic records reflect consistency and hunger, averaging over 57 in first-class cricket, with 19 centuries to his name.
International Career
Debuts
- Test: 21 March 2021 vs West Indies at North Sound
- ODI: 10 March 2021 vs West Indies
- T20I: 3 March 2021 vs West Indies
His dream debut in Tests was highlighted by a century (103), placing him among a select group of Sri Lankans to score a century on debut.
Rise in ODIs
Nissanka quickly adapted to the demands of ODI cricket. His stroke play, combined with an ability to anchor innings, made him Sri Lanka’s most reliable top-order batter.
Historic Double Century
On 9 February 2024, against Afghanistan in Pallekele, he scripted history by scoring an unbeaten 210*:
- First Sri Lankan to score a double century in ODIs.
- Surpassed Sanath Jayasuriya’s record (189 in 2000) for highest ODI score by a Sri Lankan.
- The innings featured 128 runs in boundaries, including 20 fours and 8 sixes.
- His 200 came off 136 balls, the third-fastest ODI double-century at the time.
This knock instantly elevated him into the elite club of ODI double-centurions alongside Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, and others.
Consistency in Tests
Nissanka has been equally impactful in the longest format:
- His century on debut against West Indies announced his arrival.
- In June 2025, he dominated Bangladesh at home:
- Scored 187 in Galle.
- Followed it up with 158 in Colombo.
- Won both Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards.
With a Test average above 45, he is regarded as one of the most technically sound batters Sri Lanka has produced in recent years.
T20I Contributions
Though not as dominant as in ODIs and Tests, Nissanka has been a reliable T20I performer with 14 half-centuries. His role has often been to provide stability at the top, ensuring solid starts for the team.
Career Statistics (as of August 2025)
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s/50s | Highest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 18 | 1,305 | 45.00 | 4/7 | 187 |
| ODIs | 66–70 | 2,508+ | 41.11 | 6/16 | 210* |
| T20Is | 62–65 | 1,734 | 29.89 | 0/14 | 90 |
| First-Class | 58 | 5,262 | 57.19 | 19/21 | 217 |
(Note: Match counts vary slightly between Wikipedia & ESPNcricinfo due to updates.)
Style of Play & Reputation
Pathum Nissanka’s batting is often described as:
- Classical yet aggressive: Possesses a textbook technique but can accelerate when required.
- Disciplined: Known for patience and ability to grind long innings.
- Mentally strong: Performs under pressure and adapts well across conditions.
ESPNcricinfo praised him as “quiet, disciplined, and a little greedy”—a rare blend that makes him capable of producing extraordinary knocks.
Awards & Recognition
- Sri Lanka Cricket Men’s Best ODI Batter of the Year (2024).
- Named in ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year (2024).
- Widely considered the future backbone of Sri Lankan batting.
Recent Highlights (2024–2025)
- ODI double-century against Afghanistan in 2024.
- Back-to-back Test hundreds (187 & 158) vs Bangladesh in 2025.
- Cemented his spot as an all-format regular, crucial to Sri Lanka’s rebuilding phase.
Conclusion
Pathum Nissanka’s career is still in its early years, but his records already place him among Sri Lanka’s finest modern cricketers. From scoring a Test century on debut to rewriting ODI history books with a double-ton, his journey has been remarkable. As he continues to evolve, cricket fans and analysts alike believe he could go down as one of the greatest batters Sri Lanka has ever produced.
