Pathum Nissanka smashes 210* to break Sanath Jayasuriya’s all-time ODI record

Pathum Nissanka scripted historical past for Sri Lanka by smashing a double hundred towards Afghanistan within the first ODI match in Pallekele on Friday, February 9. Nissanka scored 210* off simply 139 balls to register a maiden particular person double century for Sri Lanka of their ODI cricket historical past.

The 25-year-old opener additionally broke the legendary Sanath Jayasuriya’s all-time record for highest ODI rating of 189 for Sri Lanka, which got here towards India at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in 2000. Nissanka’s heroics boosted Sri Lanka to a complete of 381/3 in 50 overs, their greatest rating towards Afghanistan in ODIs, and the best first innings whole at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

Nissanka ended Sri Lanka’s lengthy await the person double ton in 50-over cricket by smashing a 4 off Fareed Ahmad within the fiftieth over. Nissanka registered 20 fours and eight sixes throughout his blistering unbeaten smashing of Afghan bowlers. He additionally recorded the joint fifth-highest ODI scores surpassing the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Shubman Gill and Glenn Maxwell. 

Highest particular person ODI scores for Sri Lanka:

1. 210* vs Afghanistan – Pathum Nissanka in Pallekele (Today)
2. 189 vs India – Sanath Jayasuriya in Sharjah, 2000
3. 174* vs India – Upul Tharanga in Kingston, 2013
4. 169 vs South Africa – Kumar Sangakkara in Colombo, 2013
5. 161* vs Bangladesh – Tillakaratne Dilshan in Melbourne, 2015

Nissanka additionally ended his poor run of kind by smashing his first ODI century since July 2023. The right-handed batter took solely 136 balls to attain the 200-run mark, producing the third-fastest double century in ODI historical past after Ishan Kishan’s 126-ball smashing towards Bangladesh in 2022 and Glenn Maxwell’s memorable 128-ball double ton within the latest ODI World Cup 2023 in Chennai. 

Sri Lanka additionally posted their fourth-highest whole in ODIs and their third 300-plus whole towards Afghanistan. Apart from Nissanka, opener Avishka Fernando scored 88 off 88 balls and Sadeera Samarawickrama added fast 45 runs to contribute in an enormous whole.