Axing of Pathum Nissanka doesn’t go down too well

The Lanka Premier League tournament has seen some tight contests over the last week. There have been some standout performers and last ball thrillers. The franchise tournament will stand in good stead for Sri Lankan cricket moving forward with last year’s LPL enabling selectors to identify new talents. This year too several young players have come up with some impressive performances. There have been also some strange decisions and the one that has sparked much debate has been the dropping of Pathum Nissanka.

The 23-year-old Nissanka was a revelation during the recent T-20 World Cup in UAE where he outperformed several senior players and finished as the second highest run getter for Sri Lanka. In fact, Pathum’s 221 runs during the World Cup was the seventh highest in the competition and he was the cynosure of all eyes. Pathum’s ability to play the anchor role by batting through the innings and his skill to accelerate when the demand rose with minimum risks earned the applause of South African fast bowling great Dale Steyn.

Colombo Stars decision to drop him after just two games surprised many. The franchise replaced Pathum with Ashan Priyanjan, who at 32 is past his prime.

Mickey Arthur who has just completed a two year stint with Sri Lanka as the Head Coach did not agree with the decision. “Pathum Nissanka is the national opening batsman and should play every game,” he wrote on Twitter.

Mickey wasn’t the only one who was upset with the decision as many others expressed their dissatisfaction in social media at the snubbing of one of the nation’s brightest talents.

Nissanka made his Test debut early this year and became the first Sri Lankan to score a hundred on debut overseas. He finished off the recent Test series against West Indies scoring three half-centuries

Colombo Stars is the only locally owned franchise in the LPL and they have chosen a formidable team with some big names. Their Head Coach Ruwan Kalpage is someone who is well respected in the field having been involved in international cricket for over two decades. Kalpage is one of the best all-round coaches in the world having worked with SLC as Computer Analyst, Spin Bowling Coach and Fielding Coach. Elsewhere he has fitted in in many roles like Assistant Coach and Head Coach and was an excellent choice by Colombo Stars to rope him as their coach. Since Colombo Stars is the only locally owned franchise, a lot of fans seem to be supporting them in this LPL and that maybe one reason why their decision to bench one of the up and coming players received most attention.