When Pathum Nissanka smashed the first-ever double hundred by a Sri Lankan in ODI cricket last year, he didn’t beat around the bush when asked about his goal. “I want to be the world’s number one batter,” he declared — a straight drive of intent that echoed beyond the boundary ropes. Many thought it was a tall order in an era ruled by Virat Kohli, Travis Head and Kane Williamson. But Pathum, like a batsman refusing to play second fiddle, has quietly been chiselling his way up the ladder.
To his credit, Pathum Nissanka has been climbing the ICC rankings across all three formats with the patience of a man building an innings brick by brick. He’s now perched at fourth in T20s and closing in on the top ten in ODIs. The flat tracks of Pakistan may yet become his run-scoring paradise — tailor-made for a player who treats bowlers like bowling machines once he finds his groove.
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That historic double hundred wasn’t just about numbers; it was a statement — a declaration that Sri Lanka has a new flagbearer. He eclipsed Sanath Jayasuriya’s long-standing mark that had survived nearly a quarter of a century and since then, he’s been batting as if he’s got a point to prove. Whether it’s his century against India in Dubai — a knock that placed him among a rare breed of Sri Lankans with tons in all formats — or that classic hundred at The Oval that scripted a famous Test win against England, Pathum has shown he can adjust to any wicket, any weather, any challenge.
He’s no flat-track bully either. On seaming English decks or spinning Asian dustbowls, Pathum has wielded his willow with poise and purpose. If only he hadn’t thrown away his wicket in Port Elizabeth, the resume would have been complete. His temperament is that of a monk, but when he’s in full flow, bowlers often feel like lambs to the slaughter.
Sri Lankan cricket, which had been drifting in the doldrums not too long ago, is now riding a fresh wave. The trophies may not have piled up yet, but there’s a renewed sense of belief — and much of that has to do with the man in the helmet bearing the lion. Not since the golden days of Kumar Sangakkara have fans whispered about a Sri Lankan inching towards the number one spot in the world rankings. When that moment arrives — and it feels more a matter of “when” than “if” — it’ll be a red-letter day for the island.
The journey hasn’t been a bed of roses. Pathum has had to weather the odd bouncer off the field as well — critics, form slumps and the weight of expectation. Yet, he remains remarkably grounded, his ever-present smile as genuine as his straight drive.
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The new series in Pakistan begins with an ODI in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, followed by a tri-series where Zimbabwe steps in for Afghanistan. This time, Sri Lanka’s travels are limited to Rawalpindi and Lahore — gone are the days when teams hopped across Sialkot, Gujranwala, Multan, Faisalabad and of course Karachi, greeted with warmth and endless cups of chai.
All eyes, though, will be on the T20 series — a dress rehearsal for the upcoming World Cup.
Selectors will be looking to fine-tune combinations and perhaps unearth the next big thing. Pavan Rathnayake has been knocking on the door for a while; maybe this is his chance to walk through it. Lahiru Udara, too, has been piling up runs in domestic cricket and a good run here could cement his spot — provided his catching, once a sore point, has tightened up.
