Watch: A Sri Lanka U19 bowler has caught the eye for his bowling action, a spitting image for one of his country’s greatest ever, Lasith Malinga.

Matheesha Pathirana, a 19-year-old right-armer from Kandy, is currently representing his nation at the 2021 Under-19 Asia Cup. He has played one List A game and two T20 matches, with only a couple of wickets to his name. So far, nothing special.

But watching him bowl just one delivery reveals why there is hype building around him. His right arm slings around impossible low before firing in the ball, like Malinga, and, if anything, slingier.

On the available evidence, the traits of a lethal yorker and a skiddy, hard-to-pick bouncer are shared too. Highlights of a spell against Kuwait have begun to do the rounds, with Pathirana twice striking with brutal toecrushers, while also troubling the batters with some sharp bumpers.

He has claimed nine wickets at 21.33 in U19 ODIs so far, while his one U19 Test appearance saw him claim figures of 3-13. One to keep an eye on, though, given his action, that’s easier said than done.

Watch Pathirana’s slingy action below:

Sri Lanka gets a new Slinga-Malinga
Meet Matheesha Pathirana, who produced some lanky bouncers and yorkers vs Kuwait U-19. Lankan Lions romped to a 274 run-victory. He finished with figures 7-2 in 3 overs.#U19AsiaCup #SharjahCricketStadium

courtesy – @sharjahstadium pic.twitter.com/EStUotZtOn

— ANURAG ॐ SHARMA 🇮🇳 (@7ANURAGSHARMA) December 23, 2021