By Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka created history when he became the first batter from the country to reach the 200-run mark in ODIs. Nissanka scored the country’s first-ever double century in the format during the first ODI of the series against Afghanistan in Pallekele.
The previous highest score for Sri Lanka was Sanath Jayasuriya’s 189 against India in the 2000 Coca-Cola Champions Trophy final.
While Nissanka is also the first male cricketer to score a double-century in Sri Lankan List A cricket, four female cricketers have scored double-tons previously: Sadamali Dolawatte (231* in 2007), Sripali Weerakkody (271* in 2007), Suwini de Alwis (236* in 2010) and Chamari Athapaththu (201* in 2013).
Former national captain Sanath Jayasuriya was full of praise for opener Pathum Nissanka, who became the first Sri Lankan to score an ODI double century,
“Congratulations to Pathum on a masterclass in batting. I am so so privileged to witness it in person pure bliss,” Jayasuriya posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
