Top 3 bowling performances by Sri Lanka players on T20I debut 

Nowadays T20 cricket is one of the most popular and followed versions in the game of cricket. It is also recognised as the most popular format, which is being implemented worldwide and is being utilised to raise awareness about the game all over the world. 

T20 leagues are currently being adopted all around the world, and the franchise cricket mania has also contributed to the game’s increased reach. Here are the three best bowling performances for Sri Lanka in their debut T20I game.

3. 4/23 –Lakshan Sandakan vs South Africa at Johannesburg in 2017

Lakshan Sandakan got four wickets on debut for Sri Lanka in a three-wicket victory over a resurgent South Africa, tying the three-match Twenty20 series. Sandakan became the first Sri Lankan to capture a wicket off his first ball in Twenty20 internationals, dismissing Mangaliso Mosehle for 11 runs.

He played only 20 T20I matches for Sri Lanka, picking up 23 wickets at an economy of 7.26 at an average of 24.21. The left-arm spinner also featured in 11 tests picking 37 wickets with an average of 3.71. He has also featured in 31 ODIs and picked up 27 wickets. 

2. 4/19- Kaushalya Weeraratne vs Pakistan at King City in 2008

Kaushalya Weeraratne, the right-arm fast-medium bowler, made his T20I debut by dismissing four Pakistani batters by giving out just 19 runs. Pakistan were struggling at 91/7 as he concluded his spell. 

He had a dream debut of his life he picked the wickets of Younis Khan and then went on to claim the wickets of Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi and Sohail Tanvir. He has played only five matches for ‘the Lions’ picking up only four wickets. The all-rounder has played in 15 ODI matches and has scored 160 runs at an average of 20.00. 

1. 4/15 – Ajantha Mendis  vs Zimbabwe at King City in 2008

The mystery spinner had already created a name for himself before this match, and he proved it once more against Zimbabwe. Mendis, making his debut at King City, Canada, spun a web around Zimbabwe’s lower order and bamboozled them, taking four wickets for 15 runs. 

His off-break and carrom ball were too difficult for the batsmen to read, as Sri Lanka limited Zimbabwe to 106 runs in 17 overs. He has played 39 matches for the Lankan team picking 66 wickets with an economy of 6.45.