Pathum Nissanka Becomes First Sri Lankan to Smash ODI Double Century

Pathum Nissanka, the opening batsman for Sri Lanka, made history by being the first player in the nation to score 200 runs in an ODI. In the opening ODI of the series against Afghanistan in Pallekele, Nissanka recorded the nation's first-ever double-century in the format.
With 20 fours and 8t sixes in a spectacular knock, the opener, who was still not out at 210 from just 139 balls, helped Sri Lanka to a massive 381/3. Nissanka has the fifth-highest individual score in ODI history.

Nissanka also scored more runs for Sri Lanka in One-Day Internationals than any other player, surpassing Sanath Jayasuriya, the previous opener, whose 189 against India set a record that remained intact for more than two decades.

Indeed, Jayasuriya congratulated Nissanka on social networking platform X as well. "Congratulations to Pathum for an outstanding batting performance. I am extremely fortunate to be present at this moment of absolute happiness," the former skipper of Sri Lanka wrote.

Pathum joined the list of the elites -

After recovering from an illness that prevented him from playing in the Test match against Afghanistan, Nissanka broke Jayasuriya's record in Pallekele with an amazing exhibition of power striking in front of the legendary former batter himself. The list of Sri Lankans' best ODI scores is as follows:

• Pathum Nissanka - 210* vs Afghanistan, 2024
• Sanath Jayasuriya - 189 vs India, 200
• Upul Tharanga - 174* vs India, 2013
• Kumar Sangakkara - 169 vs South Africa, 2013
• Tillakaratne Dilshan - 161* vs Bangladesh, 2015
  
  
  Overall, Rohit Sharma's 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014 at Eden Gardens still stands as the greatest individual score in the fifty-over format. But as of right now, Nissanka's knock is the third-fastest double-ton in ODI history. He passed former cricketers Chris Gayle (138 balls), Virender Sehwag (140 balls), and Sachin Tendulkar (140 balls) by reaching the milestone in just 136 balls.
  
  

Here's the updated list of highest scorers in ODIs after Nissanka's double ton:

• Rohit Sharma - 264 vs Sri Lanka, 2014
• Martin Guptill - 237* vs West Indies, 2015
• Virender Sehwag - 219 vs West Indies, 2011
• Chris Gayle - 215 vs Zimbabwe, 2015
• Fakhar Zaman - 210* vs Zimbabwe, 2018
• Pathum Nissanka - 210* vs Afghanistan, 2024
  
  Nissanka and fellow opener Avishka Fernando (88) put up a solid 182-run partnership in the first ODI in Palleke, and after his wicket, Nissanka's contributions to the run chase were significant; the other batters also played a good knock with skipper Kusal Mendis (15), Sadeera Samarawickrama (45), and Charitha Asalanka (7*).