Pathum Nissanka shows Sri Lanka a bright future, even if this World Cup journey is soon to end

SAM MORSHEAD: At 23 years old, he has only played 34 T20s, and nearly a third of those have been in the international arena. He is learning as he goes, at a World Cup, in the powerplay. It is quite the task, but he seems equal to it

Because of the somewhat haphazard nature of Sri Lankan domestic cricket, the expectations of the talent pathway are limited.

Therefore, the emergence of genuinely talented, entertaining young batsmen who can adjust to the rigours of the international game can trigger the same sort of excitement that follows the accidental discovery of a royal skeleton in a car park. 

In Pathum Nissanka, there is very real hope that a dysfunctional system has thrown up a gem. 

Nissanka is a deceptive batsman. He does not dominate the crease in his stance, and in spells can appear to retreat into his shell. But what is most impressive is his ability to up the tempo when the situation demands it. 

On a hot Sharjah afternoon, he showed his capacity to do just that, and in doing so gave the latest indication that his future might just be what Sri Lanka are longing for. 

Nissanka was 18 from 20 deliveries at the end of the powerplay, and 21 from 27 at the end of the eighth over, content to play second fiddle to Charith Asalanka. When Asalanka perished to a tame run out, though, Nissanka quickly recognised the need to change his intensity. 

Five overs later, he had added 27 from 16 deliveries, unimpeded by losing two further partners. 

^{Pathum Nissanka made 72 for Sri Lanka against South Africa}

Strong with the bottom hand but with plenty of control from the top, he picked gaps with equal success on both sides of the wicket. 

Dwaine Pretorious was slap-swept through backward square leg for four - a delivery which was so wide outside off stump it might have passed the stumps on another strip - while Kagiso Rabada was deposited handsomely over wide mid-on.

Perhaps the best shot of the lot came at the end of the 18th over, bowled by Rabada and which went for 17.

Nissanka stood tall on the back foot, waiting for a delivery which stuck momentarily in the pitch, before chopping a hard-handed drive through extra cover. It was imperious. 

By the time he was eventually dismissed, he had made 51 runs from 31 balls following the dismissal of Asalanka, and more than half of his team’s total overall. The 16th, 17th and 18th overs bowled by South Africa had gone for 34 and the complexion of the chase was completely different. 

When, two hours later, Nissanka caught Temba Bavuma on the midwicket boundary, leaving the Proteas staring at the looming likelihood of elimination, it appeared as though his innings was to be the difference between the sides.

Ultimately, that did not turn out to be the case, as Rabada and David Miller punished lacklustre death bowling with nerveless disdain in the final two overs of the chase, but that Sri Lanka lost here - and as a result are out of this competition - should not overshadow Nissanka’s performance, nor the general performance of this Sri Lankan team over the past two weeks.

Sri Lanka have a bowling attack that blends raw pace - their quicks are among the fastest in this tournament in terms of average speed - and a quality spin option in Wanindu Hasaraga. 

^{David Miller and Kagiso Rabada saw South Africa to victory}

Had it not been for dropped catches, missed run outs and overthrows, this game may well have been out of sight, even for the biceps of Miller, before the equation became 15 off the last six balls.

They have the capacity to test top teams, just as long as there are runs on the board. And Nissanka has given a glimpse of what might be.

At 23 years old, he has only played 34 T20s, and nearly a third of those have been in the international arena. He is learning as he goes, at a World Cup, in the powerplay. It is quite the task, but he seems equal to it.

The Sri Lanka coach, Mickey Arthur, is a well-documented fan, and given the number of times he has very publicly given glowing endorsements of the young batsman, he obviously thinks he can deal with a weight of expectation too.

“I’ve watched every cricketer now in Sri Lanka, but I don’t see batting talent like Pathum Nissanka,” Arthur said in a press conference last week. “As a coaching staff and a selection panel, we’ve got to keep giving opportunities to young players, because in the next couple of years they’re going to be the leaders in the batting department.

“I’ve always said since the first time I saw Pathum that he’s a wonderful talent. His balance, his feet movement, when he attacks and defends are great. He’s got it all. We saw that on Test debut. He’s played every form now over the last sort of nine months for us. He’s going to play every form, because I think him and Charith (Asalanka) are generation next for Sri Lanka in terms of batting.”

Once the disappointment of this result subsides, there are considerable positives for Arthur and Sri Lanka to reflect on from their time in Oman and the UAE. Pathum Nissanka is certainly one.

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