Sandaken Pathirana

Sandaken Pathirana is a talented left-arm spin bowling all-rounder from Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo.

During his stints with Moors Sports Club (2016/17-17/18, 2021/22), Negombo Cricket Club (2018/19), Sri Lanka Navy Sports Club (2019/20), and Kalutara Town Cricket Club (2020/21), Pathirana has racked up well over 100 domestic wickets including 87 poles at 28.55 with seven 5-wicket hauls in 24 first-class matches.

He has also been a handy contributor with the bat. Despite batting in the lower-middle order, he has averaged in the mid-teens across all formats with a highest score of 70* in red-ball cricket.

However, it was his exploits whilst playing abroad in 2019 that thrust Pathirana’s name up for higher honours.

Playing for GMCL club Shaw, the Sri Lankan tweaker bagged 85 wickets in league and cup cricket, all with an average of only 5.88. He was the league’s stand-out spinner, often dominating games culminating with Shaw victories. Not content with neigh on 100 poles, he also racked up the small matter of 503 runs at 29.59 to evidence his all-round ability.

The tweaker returned to Shaw in 2021 and, unsurprisingly, excelled again - this time with 72 wickets at 13.69 alongside 570 runs at 31.67.

Pathirana is a serious professional who is set to embark on a new challenge in 2023 having signed with Wellington for their West of England Premier League campaign.