Theekshana Or Pathirana? Who Should Replace Wellalage If Spinner Misses BAN Match

Pathirana and Theekshana - (Source: AFP)

On Thursday, September 18, Sri Lanka became the third team to qualify for Asia Cup 2025 after they beat Afghanistan by six wickets. However, the celebrations were cut short as tragedy hit Dunith Wellalage, who lost his father because of a heart attack minutes before the match started.

The young spinner, who had a miserable day with the ball, got to know about his father's passing only after the match ended. The 22-year-old took the earliest flight back home, and now the reports suggest that Dunith is unlikely to return in time for Sri Lanka's first super-four match.

Sri Lanka will play their first Super 4 match on Saturday, September 20, against Bangladesh. The Island Nation have made several bowling changes in this tournament, and now the question remains who will replace Wellalage. 

Sri Lanka have two options, which are Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana, who both have played just a solitary game in this tournament. Thus, this article will focus on whether the Island should proceed with an extra seamer or an extra spinner, like the Afghanistan match.

How Has Matheesha Pathirana Fared In the Asia Cup 2025?

Talking about Pathirana, he played one match in this edition, and that was against Bangladesh, who are Sri Lanka's next opponents. Pathirana had a disastrous match, where he went away for 42 runs in his four overs, and was also wicketless.

Pathirana was replaced by Theekshana in the next match and still awaits another opportunity in the ongoing event. 

Shedding light on Theekshana, the right-arm spinner also played just a solitary match, which was against Hong Kong. Theekshana too went wicketless but leaked fewer runs than Pathirana. Theekshana registered the figures of 0/22 in his four overs.

Looking At Pathirana And Theekshana's Stats In Asia Cup 2025

Who Should Sri Lanka Go Ahead With For the Bangladesh Match In Super 4?

Looking at the stats of the two players in this tournament, there is nothing to differentiate between them. However, Sri Lanka should proceed with Pathirana to strengthen their death bowling.

Despite a big win over Afghanistan on Thursday, Sri Lanka struggled at the death as Charith Asalanka decided to reserve Wellalage for the last over of the first innings. Afghanistan were cruising towards an average total, but Wellalage gave away 31 runs in the last over, which put Afghanistan ahead in the match. 

Asalanka was left out of choice, and it becomes very risky to keep a spinner for the last over of the match. Thus, to avoid such a situation in the upcoming round, Sri Lanka should proceed ahead with the seamer and replace Wellalage with Pathirana. 

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