Pathum Nissanka On Verge Of Breaking Kusal Perera’s Record, Can Become… | Cricket News

Last Updated:September 13, 2025, 09:25 IST

Pathum Nissanka nears fastest 2000 T20I runs for Sri Lanka as Charith Asalanka leads a strong team with Wanindu Hasaranga returning for UAE matches.

Star Sri Lankan batter Pathum Nissanka is on the verge of creating history as he needs to score 50 runs in eight innings to become the fastest to 2000 T20I runs from his country, breaking Kusal Perera’s record, who achieved the feat in 76 innings. Nissanka has played just 67.

Led by Charith Asalanka, the islanders have shaped a formidable team, blending top-order stability with middle-order firepower and a spin attack well-suited to UAE conditions.

The top order is being led by Nissanka and a lot of eyes will be on him, especially against an opponent that cannot be discounted.

Only Perera and Kusal Mendis have 2000-plus runs in T20Is for Sri Lanka, with Nissanka fast approaching the milestone.

At the moment, Nissanka has 1950 runs in 67 matches at an average of 30.46, although his strike rate of 123.1 is not impressive.

Nissanka, Mendis, and Perera anchor the top order, while Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, and Kamindu Mendis bolster the middle with depth and finishing prowess.

Sri Lanka have brought back middle-order batter Janith Liyanage, marking his T20I return after a three-year absence.

Liyanage, fresh off a match-winning 70* in the recent ODI series against Zimbabwe, strengthens Sri Lanka’s pool of seam-bowling all-rounders alongside Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne.

The latter has a chance to go past former off-spinner Sachitra Senanayake in the list of most T20I wicket-takers for Sri Lanka. Karunarate has 24 wickets, while the former had 25. Former pacer Isuru Udana had 27 wickets.

The team gains a major boost with the return of star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, fit again after a hamstring injury. He is the highest wicket-taker for Sri Lanka in T20Is, with 131 wickets in 77 matches at an impressive economy of 6.98.

On the sluggish UAE pitches, Sri Lanka’s spin trio of Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage could be key, with slingy pacer Matheesha Pathirana adding variety to the attack.