Matheesha Pathirana is a cricketer who plays internationally for Sri Lanka and domestically for Colts Cricket Club in Sri Lanka. He is a right-handed batter and a right-arm fast bowler who can swing the ball both ways. He made his international debut for Sri Lanka in February 2020. He currently plays for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League in club cricket, winning the championship as a key player in 2023. His bowling action resembles that of former Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga, who coincidentally happened to be his mentor with the Sri Lanka Army Sports Club cricket, whom he has represented in the Sri Lankan domestic game.
Matheesha Pathirana was born on September 12, 2002, in Matara, Sri Lanka. He grew up in a cricket-loving family and started playing the game at the age of nine. His father, Sujith Perera, is a cricket coach and his mother, PV Swarnalatha, is a housewife. He has an older brother, Dilshan Perera, who is also a cricketer and plays for Negombo Cricket Club.
Matheesha Pathirana is unmarried and lives in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He is fluent in Sinhala, English, and Tamil. He holds a bachelor's degree in sports management from Inholland University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam. He is also a qualified cricket coach and has worked as a player-coach at Sinhalese Sports Club. He enjoys travelling, reading, and listening to music in his spare time.
Matheesha Pathirana started playing cricket at Prince of Wales College, where he received guidance from former Sri Lankan cricketer Roy Dias. He represented Sri Lanka at various age-group levels and was part of the squad that played in the 2020 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa. He made his first-class debut for Colts Cricket Club against Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club in the 2019–20 Premier League Tournament and scored 23 runs on debut. He also made his List A debut for Colts Cricket Club against Badureliya Sports Club in the same season and took one wicket.
Matheesha Pathirana made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut for Sri Lanka against India at Pune on January 10, 2020. He took two wickets for 32 runs as Sri Lanka lost by 78 runs. He made his One Day International (ODI) debut for Sri Lanka against West Indies at Colombo on February 26, 2020. He took no wickets and scored four runs as Sri Lanka won by 161 runs.
He has not played any Test matches for Sri Lanka yet.
Matheesha Pathirana has played six ODIs for Sri Lanka until October 2023, scoring 48 runs at an average of 24.00 and a strike rate of 87.27. He has hit no centuries and no half-centuries with a highest score of 17 not out. He has also bowled 174 balls and taken six wickets. His best bowling figures are 3/31. He has also taken one catch.
Matheesha Pathirana has played eight T20Is for Sri Lanka until November 2022, scoring 30 runs at an average of 10.00 and a strike rate of 100.00. He has hit no centuries and no half-centuries with a highest score of 9 not out
Matheesha Pathirana has not played any Test matches for Sri Lanka yet.
Matheesha Pathirana has not captained Sri Lanka in any international matches.
Matheesha Pathirana has not been involved in any major controversies in his cricket career.
Matheesha Pathirana is a cricketer who plays internationally for Sri Lanka and domestically for Colts Cricket Club in Sri Lanka. He is a right-handed batter and a right-arm fast bowler who can swing the ball both ways. He made his international debut for Sri Lanka in February 2020. He currently plays for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League in club cricket, winning the championship as a key player in 2023. His bowling action resembles that of former Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga, who coincidentally happened to be his mentor with the Sri Lanka Army Sports Club cricket, whom he has represented in the Sri Lankan domestic game.He has achieved several records and accolades for his performances and is one of the most promising bowlers for Sri Lanka.