Since Matheesha Pathirana has been playing consistently well for CSK in the current IPL 2023 season, following which, New Zealand former captain Scott Styris has highly appreciated his performance. Styris thinks that Pathirana can surpass Lasith Malinga but that he will need to work on his precision and consistency.
Pathirana’s sling-arm action has drawn similarities to the legend Lasith Malinga. Pathirana would have to put in the most effort here because the diversity of the Malinga was one of his greatest strengths.
“Pathirana could be superior to Malinga, in my opinion. He’s too young in his career, so I realise that it’s a big call. Malinga was at his finest when he was bowling at 145 kph, but he isn’t quite as precise as Malinga yet. And those 3 or 4 years were the only ones for him. You have to be aware of his speed as the change-ups started to come. “You could probably look at the slower ball more and react to the yorkers when his top speed was down to 135,” said Styris.
Pathirana has a natural edge since he bowls at speeds of 145, 146, and 148 kph, as we’ve witnessed. He does a good job with the yorkers. He can smash those yorkers with that motion as much as Malinga, but with faster pace and the capacity for change-ups as he develops organically and gains experience. He is an outstanding talent for both Sri Lanka and CSK, he also added.
In IPL 2023, Pathirana has taken 7 wickets, including two in the most recent game against the Lucknow Super Giants.
