Pathum Nissanka became the first Sri Lankan batter to score a double century in One-day international format. He achieved this superb milestone during the first match of the series against Afghanistan played at Palleke International Stadium, Kandy on 9th February 2024.
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and decided to field first. Nissanka looked in great touch putting pressure on Afghan new ball bowlers along with Avishka Fernando. Sri Lankan openers raced away to 90 for 0 in the first 10 overs.
Nissanka completed half-century off 31 deliveries keeping the pressure on the Afghanistan bowlers. Sri Lankan opening partnership ended with the scoreboard reading 182. The stylish opener kept the momentum going taking singles and hitting boundaries. He completed century off 88 deliveries making life tough for Afghanistan bowlers.
After completing his century, Nissanka upped the ante taking on Noor Ahmad with big sixes keeping the scoreboard ticking. Sadeera Samawickrama also provided great support to him hitting boundaries and sixes at will. The stylish opener displayed great hitting in the death overs hitting a boundary to complete a double century off 136 deliveries.
He smashed 10 runs off the last 2 balls putting on an excellent display remaining not out on 210 off 139 balls with 20 fours and 8 sixes. It was a sensational batting effort as Sri Lanka posted a mammoth total of 381 for 3 in 50 overs.
Other Batters To Score Double Centuries In ODIs
Pathum Nissanka surpassed Sanath Jayasuriya for the highest individual score by a Lankan batter in a One-day international format. Jayasuriya posted 189 against India in 2000 at Sharjah. Nissanka became the first Sri Lankan batter to smash a double century in a One-day international format. Rohit Sharma has scored most 200’s with 3 including his best score of 264 against Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on 13th November 2014.
Sachin Tendulkar was the first batter to score a double century in a One-day international format against South Africa at Roop Singh Stadium, Gwalior on 24th February 2010. Virender Sehwag made 219 against West Indies at Holkar Stadium, Indore on 8th December 2011. Chris Gayle scored 215 during the 2015 World Cup match against Zimbabwe at Canberra on 24th February 2015.
Fakhar Zaman scored an unbeaten 210 against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo on 20th July 2018. Shubman Gill made a breathtaking 208 against New Zealand at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on 18th January 2023. Glenn Maxwell played one of the finest knocks in ODI cricket with an unbeaten 201 against Afghanistan in World Cup 2023 played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on 7th November 2023 which helped Australia register a remarkable 3-wicket win.
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