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Pathum Nissanka scripted history on Friday, February 9, as he became the first Sri Lankan batsman to hit an ODI double ton.
He overtook the 24-year-old record set Sanath Jayasuriya in the first ODI against Afghanistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele for the highest individual score a Sri Lankan batter.
Afghanistan are currently on an all-format tour to Sri Lanka, and had to endure an onslaught from Nissanka, who scored an unbeaten 210 off just 139 balls in what was an exhibition of strokeplay and power-hitting.
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In the process, he became the first Sri Lankan to hit 200 in an ODI, breaking Jayasuriya’s record of the highest ODI individual score a Sri Lankan.
Jayasuriya, an all-time great, scored 189 runs off 161 balls in a tri-series final against India in 2000 in Sharjah. It was the second-highest ODI score at the time, only behind Pakistan opener Saeed Anwar’s 194.
Jayasuriya could well have gone on to score a double century in that game itself, only for Sourav Ganguly to dismiss him on the first ball of the 49th over.
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What are the highest individual scores a Sri Lankan batsman in ODIs?
Nissanka went past Jayasuriya’s ODI record on the fifth ball of the penultimate over of the innings, and brought up his double ton with a boundary on the second ball of the final over.
His innings was laced with 20 fours and 8 sixes, and it’s a record that will stand the test of time for years, or even decades to come.
| Player | Runs | Balls | Opponent | Venue | Date |
| Pathum Nissanka | 210* | 139 | Afghanistan | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele | Feb 9, 2024 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | 189 | 161 | India | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah | Oct 29, 2000 |
| Upul Tharanga | 174* | 159 | India | Sabina Park, Kingston | July 2, 2013 |
| Kumar Sangakkara | 169 | 137 | South Africa | R. Premdasa Stadium, Colombo | July 20, 2013 |
| Tillakaratne Dilshan | 161* | 146 | Bangladesh | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne | Feb 26, 2015 |
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