Pathum Nissanka, the Sri Lankan opener, created history by becoming the first batter from his country to score an ODI double ton. He achieved the feat in the 1st ODI against Afghanistan on February 9, 2024 in Pallekele.
Hashmatullah Shahidi, the Afghanistan captain won the toss and chose to field first. However, Lankan openers Nissanka and Avishka Fernando took the Afghan bowlers to the cleaners adding 182 runs for the first wicket. Nissanka then added 120 runs with Sadeera Samarawickrama, who made 45 runs.
Sri Lanka finished with 381/3 in 50 overs and Pathum Nissanka remained unbeaten on 210 with 20 fours and 8 sixes in 139 balls. This is the first double century in ODIs by a Sri Lanka batter.
Nissanka broke the record of legend Sanath Jayasuriya, who had made 189 against India in 2000 in Sharjah. Nissanka's 210* is the fifth-highest individual score in ODI history, and he is the fifth batter to have carried the bat after scoring a double century.
The cricket fraternity was all praises for Nissanka’s incredible knock on social media and lauded his performance.
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