Ratnapura is fondly known as the ‘City of Gems’. It is fair to say that Sri Lanka’s gemstone capital has turned more ordinary men into billionaires than any other corner of the island. Many locals believe the blessings of the sacred Maha Saman Devalaya, situated in the heart of the city, are behind the prosperity that adorns many homes there. They may as well add another name to that glittering list. He is neither a miner nor a gem trader. He is a cricketer who answers to the name of Eshan Malinga.

Malinga is currently the second highest wicket-taker in this season’s IPL. His stocks continue to soar with every outing as captains increasingly trust him with the toughest assignment in T20 cricket – the death overs. He does not possess the sling-shot action of his namesake Lasith Malinga nor the express pace of Dushmantha Chameera. What the new Malinga has mastered instead is the dying art of reverse swing.

More often than not, he is introduced during the closing stages of the innings and has made a habit of getting the old ball to talk. Add to that his clever variations – slower balls, wide yorkers and sharp changes of pace – and his armoury suddenly looks complete.

The IPL is a breeding ground for elite fast bowlers. There’s Kagiso Rabada, Pat Cummins and Jasprit Bumrah, while rising stars such as Marco Jansen and Arshdeep Singh continue to make waves. Amid all these celebrated names, Malinga is not merely holding his own; he is carving out an identity for himself. Bought for just over USD 100,000 last season, expect his value to multiply several times over by the next auction.

Some may wonder how Ratnapura, hardly known as a cricketing hub, produced a fast bowler of Eshan Malinga’s calibre. His breakthrough came when Airtel conducted a fastest bowler competition. Malinga won it comfortably and caught the eye of Sri Lanka Cricket Fast Bowling Coach Darshana Gamage, who was impressed not merely by the pace, but also by the youngster’s attitude and perseverance.

Gamage recommended him to several clubs and Ragama moved swiftly to secure his services. That is where the Ratnapura gem was polished.

Ragama Cricket Club has survived on a shoestring budget despite competing in First Class cricket for nearly three decades. While traditional outstation strongholds such as Kandy, Galle and Kurunegala have struggled to stay afloat, Ragama’s longevity is remarkable, especially considering they do not even own a ground. Scratch beneath the surface and you discover a handful of diehard office bearers who kept the club alive by pumping in their own money during an era when Sri Lanka Cricket’s support for domestic cricket was painfully inadequate.

Despite limited means, Ragama always looked after their players. Youngsters arriving from outstations were provided accommodation and meals and Eshan Malinga was among those who benefited from the programme.

Luck, however, did not always bowl in his favour. Just when he was beginning to break through, injury struck. He was referred to Sri Lanka Cricket’s medical unit, only to be turned away because he was not a contracted player.

Ragama’s officials stepped in and funded his treatment themselves before sending him back onto the park. But cruelly, he broke down once again and spent another lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Selectors, however, had been monitoring him closely and he eventually earned his maiden national call-up during last year’s tour of New Zealand. Sunrisers Hyderabad too liked what they saw and quickly snapped him up. Today, he is not merely a permanent fixture in the side, but a genuine match-winner.

Malinga was part of Sri Lanka’s World Cup squad, but a freak injury ruled him out of the tournament and the team sorely missed his services. At just 25, he has the potential to become a key figure in Sri Lanka’s fast bowling future. Hopefully he does. Yet history suggests otherwise.

Last season, when Ragama CC were battling relegation, the club appealed to Malinga – someone they had nurtured and supported through thick and thin – to turn out for a crucial must-win game. The fast bowler declined the request. Ragama were relegated. Soon after, Malinga moved on, abandoning the club that had stood by him when few others did.

Just not cricket.

by Rex Clementine

Bangladesh commanded proceedings on the first day, but Pakistan changed that around dramatically on the second, led by the youngest member of the team. Azan Awais,  making his debut, steered Pakistan into a position of relative comfort in a century partnership alongside Imam-ul-Haq  and then another solid stand with fellow debutant Abdullah Fazal.

By the end of the day, Awais had taken his side to 179 for the loss of just Imam’s wicket. Awais had contributed an unbeaten 85, nearing a debut hundred on the third morning. As a result, Pakistan were only another 234 runs behind with nine wickets standing after Bangladesh posted 413.

The confidence and poise he demonstrated across the last session was not immediately obvious when thrown in for an awkward ten overs before tea. The first ball Nahid Rana bowled to him was a wicked short delivery that reared up and hit him square on the badge of the helmet. With Awais visibly dazed, the physio was called and a concussion test began, one he looked in real danger of failing. Batting on, Awais briefly called for the physio again shortly after, but was allowed to stay on.

And once he did, there was no looking back. While Imam remained fidgety, Awais began to demonstrate why he has been the most prolific domestic run-scorer in Pakistan across the last two seasons. A delicious cover drive off Nahid showed his refusal to back down under the stern test. Awais’ ability to force Bangladesh to spread the field kept the hosts unsettled as he found boundaries through the covers, either side of the wicket, and straight down the ground.

Kolkata Knight Riders picked up their fourth win on the trot, their spin bowlers (12-0-76-3) capturing Delhi Capitals in a vice-like grip and never letting go Finn Allen made sure that wouldn’t repeat in the second innings. He pulverised DC’s spinners (9-0-102-1) to score his first IPL century even though he only had 143 to chase.

Pathum Nissanka scored a good half-century. He made 50 of DC’s first 85 runs at a strike rate of 172. The other end could only contribute 33 at a strike rate of 103. It was symbolic of how hard it was for a new batter to settle in and how much pressure comes on the set batter on a pitch like this. Even though he was going at a good clip, and had hit the previous ball for four, he still left his crease looking for more and was stumped off Anukul Roy.  The left-arm spinner took another wicket, four balls later.