Sri Lankan opening batter Pathum Nissanka etched his name in the annals of cricket history with a remarkable maiden double century in One-Day International (ODI) cricket during Sri Lanka’s clash against Afghanistan in Pallekele.
Nissanka’s blistering assault on the Afghanistan bowlers saw him amass an unbeaten 210 runs off just 139 balls, guiding Sri Lanka to an imposing total of 381-3 in their allotted 50 overs. This monumental effort not only propelled Sri Lanka to a commanding position but also earned Nissanka a place in cricketing folklore as he became the first Sri Lankan and the tenth batsman overall to achieve a double century in ODIs.
In the first ODI of the series against Afghanistan, Nissanka formed a formidable partnership with Avishka Fernando, contributing to a 182-run stand before adding 43 runs alongside captain Kusal Mendis. Following Mendis’s dismissal, Nissanka unleashed a breathtaking display of boundary-hitting prowess, eventually converting his fourth ODI century into a historic double ton in the final over of the innings.
By reaching an unbeaten 210 runs, Nissanka joined an elite list of ODI stalwarts including Rohit Sharma, Sachin Tendulkar, Chris Gayle, Martin Guptill, Glenn Maxwell, Virender Sehwag, Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, and Fakhar Zaman. His monumental innings now stands as the joint-fifth highest individual score in ODI cricket, alongside Fakhar Zaman’s unbeaten knock from July 2018.
Nissanka’s journey in ODI cricket began in March 2021, and his latest feat has propelled his career tally close to the 2,000-run mark, showcasing his remarkable talent and potential as a top-order batsman for Sri Lanka.
Pathum Nissanka’s historic double century not only highlights his individual brilliance but also serves as a testament to the power and allure of the ODI format, captivating cricket enthusiasts worldwide with its moments of sheer brilliance and sporting excellence.