Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris believes Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana has the potential to outperform legendary Sri Lanka pacer Lasith Malinga. Pathirana has been a standout player for CSK in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, taking seven wickets in six games.
Styris told Jio Cinema that the twenty-year-old CSK fast-bowler might surpass Malinga. This season, Pathirana is bowling at an economy of 8.2 and averages of 27.57; he is continuously bowling in the death overs for CSK.
“I think Pathirana could be better than Malinga. I accept that it’s a massive call because he’s too early in his career,” Styris said.
The 47-year-old added, though Pathirana’s accuracy is lower than Malinga’s, he still has the raw pace that can trouble batters. Styris further stated that Malinga was performing effectively when he was bowling at 145 kph. Malinga has 170 wickets in 122 games, making him one of the most effective bowlers to ever play in the IPL.
“He’s not as accurate as Malinga yet, but Malinga was at his best when he was bowling at 145kph. And he only had about three or four years where that was the case. When he had that speed, and then the change-ups came, you had to respect that pace. When his top speed was down to 135, you could probably look at the slower ball more and react to the Yorkers,” Styris added.
Pathirana, according to Styris, is useful for both CSK and Sri Lanka, and he naturally has a lot of speed. With his slinging action that resembles Malinga’s, the Sri Lankan pacer has bowled over 150kph several times this season.
“What we’ve seen with Pathirana is that he’s bowling at 145, 146, 148kph, so he has that natural advantage. He hits the yorkers pretty well. As he naturally evolves and gets more experience, he can hit those yorkers with that action as much as Malinga, but with a quicker speed and the ability for change-ups. He’s the exciting talent for Sri Lanka, and exciting talent for CSK,” the New Zealander added further.
