Full Name: Matheesha Pathirana Date of Birth: December 18, 2002 Birthplace: Kandy, Sri Lanka Role: Right-Arm Fast Bowler | Lower-Order Right-Handed Batter Matheesha Pathirana, known by many as “Baby Malinga,” carries the burden of legacy and the promise of the future with equal grace. Donning jersey number 91, he has quickly become one of the most captivating young pacers in world cricket, thanks to his unique slinging action and blistering pace. Born in Kandy, the same scenic city that gave Sri Lanka the likes of Kumar Sangakkara and Lahiru Kumara, Matheesha grew up idolizing Lasith Malinga. So much so, he modeled his action after Malinga’s trademark round-arm slingshot release. But what began as childhood mimicry turned into something real—an unorthodox, effective weapon that could terrorize the best in the game. His rise to recognition was sudden yet spectacular. Matheesha represented Sri Lanka at the U19 World Cup, but the cricketing world first truly noticed him when he made headlines by clocking over 145 km/h with his unusual action. It wasn’t just the pace—it was the similarity to Malinga that sent cricket fans into a nostalgic frenzy. His IPL debut for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2022 was a pivotal moment. Under the tutelage of Malinga’s longtime captain, MS Dhoni, Pathirana found himself in the perfect ecosystem to learn, grow, and remain grounded. His toe-crushing yorkers and well-disguised slower deliveries quickly earned him the title of “death overs specialist.” That same calmness he developed in the IPL translated smoothly to international cricket. Matheesha made his T20I debut for Sri Lanka in 2022 and was soon blooded into the ODI squad. Though young and still learning, his knack for taking wickets at crucial moments became evident. One of his standout performances came during the Asia Cup 2023, where he bowled at the death with maturity beyond his years and often left batters clueless with his deceptive pace variations. What separates Pathirana from most other fast bowlers his age is his fearlessness. He isn’t afraid to bowl yorkers in the first over or trust his slower ball even in the final over of a tense game. And while comparisons to Malinga persist, Pathirana is quietly forging his own identity—more athletic, more versatile, and with a desire to evolve beyond mimicry. Off the field, Matheesha is humble, shy, and soft-spoken. He’s deeply family-oriented and often credits his parents and early coaches for believing in him. Despite the fame and fast track to stardom, he continues to train diligently and stays connected to his roots. Still only in his early 20s, the road ahead for Pathirana is long. Injuries remain a risk due to his unique action, but with smart management and strong guidance, he has all the ingredients to become a long-term leader of Sri Lanka’s pace attack. With jersey number 91, Matheesha Pathirana is more than a Malinga replica—he is Sri Lanka’s next pace superstar, an unorthodox talent with a heart full of ambition and a future that looks every bit as explosive as his bowling.