Pathum Nissanka has quietly built an outstanding record against Afghanistan across formats. From an all-time ODI high of 210* to a blistering 60(30)* in T20Is, he’s matched Afghanistan’s high-class new ball and mystery spin with tempo, range, and risk control. Here’s the simple, everything-you-need guide—stats, highlights, venue notes, and match-up trends.
Pathum Nissanka vs Afghanistan: ODI Record
Nissanka’s ODI numbers versus Afghanistan are elite: 688 runs in 11 innings at 76.44 with a 105.52 SR. He’s crossed 50 six times, including a double-ton and a late-series century.
| Date | Venue | Inns | Runs (Balls) | SR | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25-Nov-2022 | Pallekele | 1 | 85 (83) | 102.41 | b Farooqi |
| 27-Nov-2022 | Pallekele | 1 | 3* (8) | 37.50 | not out |
| 30-Nov-2022 | Pallekele | 1 | 35 (55) | 63.64 | b Rashid |
| 02-Jun-2023 | Hambantota | 1 | 38 (59) | 64.41 | c Shahidi b Mujeeb |
| 04-Jun-2023 | Hambantota | 1 | 43 (56) | 76.79 | lbw Nabi |
| 07-Jun-2023 | Hambantota | 1 | 51 (34) | 150.00 | lbw Gulbadin |
| 05-Sep-2023 | Lahore | 1 | 41 (40) | 102.50 | c Najibullah b Gulbadin |
| 30-Oct-2023 | Pune | 1 | 46 (60) | 76.67 | c Gurbaz b Omarzai |
| 09-Feb-2024 | Pallekele | 1 | 210* (139) | 151.08 | not out |
| 11-Feb-2024 | Pallekele | 1 | 18 (17) | 105.88 | lbw Omarzai |
| 14-Feb-2024 | Pallekele | 1 | 118 (101) | 116.83 | c Nabi b Qais |
Why it matters
- Ceiling: The 210* and 118 show he can both accelerate and bat deep.
- Range vs spin: Scoring through mid-wicket and extra-cover against Rashid/Mujeeb/Nabi; rarely bogged down.
- Powerplay control: Reaches run-a-ball quickly, then gears up post 15 overs.
Pathum Nissanka vs Afghanistan – T20I Records
Across six T20I innings against Afghanistan, Nissanka has 139 runs at 27.80 with a 154.44 SR—a strike-rate built on clean powerplay intent and a violent “gear-up” after 20 balls.
| Date | Venue | Inns | Runs (Balls) | SR | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27-Aug-2022 | Dubai | 1 | 3 (7) | 42.86 | c Gurbaz b Naveen |
| 03-Sep-2022 | Sharjah | 1 | 35 (28) | 125.00 | c Gurbaz b Mujeeb |
| 01-Nov-2022 | Brisbane | 1 | 10 (10) | 100.00 | b Mujeeb |
| 17-Feb-2024 | Dambulla | 1 | 6 (4) | 150.00 | c Gurbaz b Farooqi |
| 19-Feb-2024 | Dambulla | 1 | 25 (11) | 227.27 | lbw Omarzai |
| 21-Feb-2024 | Dambulla | 1 | 60* (30) | 200.00 | retired hurt |
What stands out
- Powerplay punch: 25 (11) and 60*(30) show he can flip a PP in 12–18 balls.
- Afghan attack patterns: Early wickets often from Mujeeb (Sharjah/Brisbane) or Farooqi’s late swing—when he survives, he scores fast.
Sheikh Zayed Stadium (Abu Dhabi) – Record & Notes
ODIs: No ODI appearances at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
T20Is at Sheikh Zayed (career): 4 innings – 5, 61, 51, 50.
| Date | Opponent | Runs (Balls) | SR | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18-Oct-2021 | Namibia | 5 (6) | 83.33 | LBW early |
| 20-Oct-2021 | Ireland | 61 (47) | 129.79 | Set the tone in first 6 |
| 04-Nov-2021 | West Indies | 51 (41) | 124.39 | Middle-overs control |
| 13-Sep-2025 | Bangladesh | 50 (34) | 147.06 | High-tempo fifty |
Venue takeaway
- Starts to scores: After one sighter, he converts—three 50s here in T20Is.
- Method: Drives on the up in the V, then opens square once balls soften—ideal for Abu Dhabi’s skiddy evenings.
Read Also:- Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Players
Match-Up Trends vs Afghanistan
- New-ball threats:
- Fazalhaq Farooqi – full, swinging in; has him bowled/LBW in both formats.
- Azmatullah Omarzai – skiddy seam; lbw in T20I and ODI.
- Spin phase:
- Mujeeb ur Rahman – early PP/7–9 over choke; dismissals via bowled/caught when Nissanka looks to play square.
- Rashid Khan – rarely stalls Nissanka’s ODI scoring, but did bowl him once (30-Nov-2022).
How Nissanka scores
- PP blueprint: Stoic against hoop, picks straight bat hits; flips to lofted extra-cover once feel is in.
- Spin plan: Uses depth of crease vs off-spin; drop-kicks leg-breaks with the turn over mid-wicket.
Pathum Nissanka Highlights (Latest & Best)
- 210* (139) – Pallekele, 09-Feb-2024 (ODI): tempo innings with a late-overs surge; SR 151.08.
- 118 (101) – Pallekele, 14-Feb-2024 (ODI): controlled chase tempo, swept spin cleanly.
- 60* (30) – Dambulla, 21-Feb-2024 (T20I): PP destruction; 200 SR, retired hurt after sealing momentum.
- 50 (34) – Sheikh Zayed, 13-Sep-2025 (T20I): venue-specific proof of repeatable PP method.
Quick Reference – Aggregates vs Afghanistan
| Format | Inns | Runs | Outs | Avg | Balls | SR | 50+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 11 | 688 | 9 | 76.44 | 652 | 105.52 | 6 (incl. 210* & 118) |
| T20I | 6 | 139 | 5 | 27.80 | 90 | 154.44 | 1 (60*; plus a rapid 35) |
What It Means for Sri Lanka
- Bankable starter in ODIs: Averages 76+ vs this attack—Sri Lanka can build entire ODI plans around him.
- T20I tone-setter: When Nissanka survives the first 10 balls against Farooqi/Mujeeb, his strike-rate spikes above 170, giving the middle order a platform.
- Abu Dhabi factor: No ODI sample at Sheikh Zayed, but three T20I fifties at the venue show conditions suit his stroke-map.
Against Afghanistan, Pathum Nissanka = stability + ceiling. The 210* is the headline, but the real story is how repeatable his method looks: respectful starts, then ruthless acceleration—especially once spin enters. If he clears the Farooqi/Mujeeb new-ball test, Sri Lanka tend to win the flow of the game.
