Twitter Reactions: Pathum Nissanka hits fifth gear with Pallekele double-ton

In a stunning display of batting prowess, Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka has etched his name in cricketing history, scoring a phenomenal double-century against Afghanistan. His knock transpired during the opening ODI against the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on February 9.

Upon being asked to bat first, Sri Lanka got off to a promising start with Nissanka and Avishka Fernando adding 182 runs for the opening wicket. Nissanka continued to attack and brought up his first double-hundred in the second delivery of the final over. Following Charith Asalanka's single of Fareed Ahmad's delivery, Nissanka, batting at 196*, raced the ball to the boundary with a full and outside off-length delivery. The young sensation concluded his innings with an unbeaten 210 off just 139 deliveries, including 20 boundaries and eight maximums as Sri Lanka posted a mammoth target of 382.

Fernando has also produced a significant knock of 88 runs off as many deliveries, while Sadeera Samarawickrama accumulated 45 batting down the order. Fareed Ahmad took two wickets, while veteran Mohammad Nabi picked one scalp for the tourists. 

Nissanka becomes first Sri Lanka batter to hit double hundred in ODIs

Pathum Nissanka scripted history, becoming the first Sri Lanka batter to hit a double century in ODI cricket. The 25-year-old became the third fastest to reach a double century in ODIs, scoring a 200 in just 136 balls. By this process, he surpassed West Indies legend Chris Gayle, who got a double century in 138 balls, and seasoned Indian batter Virender Sehwag, who took 140 deliveries to score 200.

In contrast, Ishan Kishan, who made 200 runs in just 126 balls against Bangladesh in 2022, owns the record for the fastest double century in ODI cricket. Glenn Maxwell, who made an unbeaten double century in just 128 balls against Afghanistan in the recently concluded ICC Cricket World Cup, follows the India wicketkeeper-batter.

Nissanka also went past distinguished Sri Lankan batter Sanath Jayasuriya's record for the highest score in the 50-over format. The former cricketer had scored 189 against India in 2000. The youngster added another feather to his cap, becoming the tenth batter to reach two hundred runs in ODIs. In addition, Rohit Sharma is the most successful batter of all time with three double hundreds.

Here’s how ‘X’ reacted to Pathum Nissanka’s double century: