Nissanka wants to be best batter in the world

Rex Clementine in Dambulla

Having rewritten the record books during the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, Sri Lanka’s opening batter Pathum Nissanka says he wants to go on to become the best batsman in the world. Nissanka during the first ODI had become the first Sri Lankan to score a double hundred in ODI cricket and in the process broke Sanath Jayasuriya’s long-standing record for most runs in an ODI innings.

The right-handed batsman during Wednesday’s 3-0 sweep went on to become the fastest Sri Lankan to 2000 ODI runs reaching the milestone in 52 innings. Upul Tharanga had got there in 63 innings.

Nissanka’s tally of 346 runs in the series is also the highest by a Sri Lankan beating Roshan Mahanama’s 267 against Zimbabwe in 1994. It’s the fourth-highest aggregate in a series by a player from any country.

“I would like to be the best batsman in the world. I will do my best to achieve that. I have a few targets but don’t want to reveal them. I will keep it to myself,” Nissanka told journalists after being named Player of the Series.

“I had a dream to score a double hundred one day. Didn’t think I could do that this early in my career. Very pleasing. Great support from the team. I want to minimize my mistakes and keep improving. Thilina Kandamby our batting coach has come up with some fresh ideas that’s helped me.”

With former captain Sanath Jayasuriya holding a key position in cricket administration, a lot of changes have been going on with cricket structure and one of them is playing on good surfaces. Head Coach Chris Silverwood had welcomed the move during the series and Nissanka joined him after the 3-0 sweep.

“These are very good wickets that we are playing on. We didn’t get these kinds of surfaces to bat on previously. It improves the batsmen’s game and bowlers too learn to bowl on these types of wickets and it’s a good thing moving forward.”

Now a permanent fixture in the white ball side, Nissanka wants to earn back his Test slot having lost it to Nishan Madushka. “I prefer Test cricket most. If I get another chance I would like to grab that opportunity from both hands.”

The teams have now moved to Dambulla where the three-match T-20 series will take place.