ICC U-19 World Cup 2020: SL Pacer Overtakes Shoaib Akhtar, Bowls Fastest Delivery in International Cricket

17-year old Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana bowled the fastest delivery in international cricket history after clocking a 175 kmph delivery against India in the U-19 World Cup game in Bloemfontein on Sunday. Resembling an action similar to that of legendary Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga, Pathirana bowled the delivery with almost identical action. This was India’s first match in this edition of the tournament, where they are the current defending champions. 

The incident happened in the last delivery of the fourth over of the Indian innings when Matheesha Pathirana clocked a ball that read 175 kmph on the speedometer, a short delivery way down the leg-side to India’s opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal. The southpaw left the ball and the umpire declared it as a wide ball. He thus went across the likes of Shoaib Akhtar, Brett Lee and Shaun Tait, bowlers who have bowled at over 160 kmph at some point in their career.

Also Read: List of ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup Winners (1988-2020)

Meanwhile, the video of the delivery by Matheesha Pathirana has taken the internet by storm. There is no confirmation of the accuracy of the speedometer from the ICC, however, this came as a huge surprise to the cricket fans across the world. Also, Pathirana’s Malinga-like bowling action is also keeping him in the headlines as well.

As far as the match is concerned, India beat Sri Lanka by a margin of 90 runs. Chasing 298 to win, the Lankan youngsters only managed 207 in 45.2 overs. Pacer Akash Singh took 2 for 29 from 10 overs, while Siddhesh Veer and Ravi Bishnoi also took two wickets each. 

Earlier in the game, India scored a formidable 297-4 in 50 overs on the back of individual half-centuries from Jaiswal (59), captain Priyam Garg (56) and wicket-keeper batsman Dhruv Jurel (52 not out).

Also Read: ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup 2020 Points Table

Having made a winning start to their campaign, India will now play against Japan U-19 on January 21 and New Zealand U-19 on January 24. Both the matches will be played in Bloemfontein.