Pawan Ratnayake – a prolific run getter cum exceptional captain
Pawan Ratnayaje is a cricketer who captained Mahanama College Colombo. A promising right hand batsman cum right arm off spinner he displayed impressive skill with spectacular performances while representing Sri Lanka national under 19 cricket team with distinction. He was adjudged inter-School under 15 best batsman runners up, best all rounder and became the under 15 school boy crickerter of the year in 2016.
He was also adjudged under 19 Division one ‘42nd Observer-Mobitel best batsman, best fielder and became the under 19 Most Popular schoolboy crickerter of the year in 2020.
He captained Mahanama college under 13,15,17 teams as well. In 2017 he led Mahanama to became all island ‘A’ Division cricket champions.
 Pawan Ratnayake drives a ball |
As a steady run-getter with a sound technique he has scored 14 centuries in under 19, ‘A’ Division inter school cricket tournaments. This year he has scored nearley 1000 runs in 11 matches with an average of over 90.00. He represents club team CCC in Division 1 first class tournament and has a unique Sri Lankan first class record of been the youngest (At the age of just 17) to score a century as well as highest first class individual score of an unbeaten 164 at number eight position against Moors, youngest Sri Lankan to score a first class 150 plus at 17 years and highest first class individual score at number eight for CCC. Finally he played Sri Lanka Cricket senior provincial tournament representing team ‘Blues’ under Dhananjaya de Silva.
Speaking to Daily News Pawan said “I was really active and talented since I was young and my parents saw my potential. I had many role models that I followed during my childhood and I wanted to follow them and be successful in my sports career. And thats how I started doing sports.”.
“My family members always support me and motivate me. And my School coach Kalum and Dulshan, Club coach Tharanaga, Respective school Teachers and Principal, School master in charge, School Cricket OBA, POG madam, my former coach Akila, Pasindu. Nelson Mendis from CCC cricket academy and all the coaches in CCC club that I haven’t mentioned the names has supported me throughout my cricket journey. Hence I’m always greatful to all of them”.
“Since I was small I saw how cricket brings out team-spirit. I loved cricket it has been my favourite sport since I was young so I wanted to play cricket and be successful.Which ultimately made me love the game of cricket”.
“When it comes to my top priorities I’d say i want to be a better batsman in Sri Lanka”.
“Always its not easy to be a cricketer. Because it’s really challenging to balance my studies and sports. As a cricketer I need to sacrifice quite alot of time to the field”.
“My most unforgettable memories are being the Sri Lankan youngest 1st class centurion, Observer-Mobitel Division one Schoolboy Cricketer of the year in 2020 and best batsman and fielder 2020.
Honestly speaking to date, I really cherish those moments”.
“I don’t have a favourite destination as such but during my holidays, I love to travel out of Colombo”.
“During the year 2019/2020 I scored a total of 1227 runs inclusive of five centuries and one double century with an average of 87.4 by playing 13 matches. During 2019/2020 season I scored the most number of centuries and was the player who scored the most number of runs during that year. So I rate it’s my biggest accomplishment so far”.
“During my leisure time, I play football with my friends”. “Honestly speaking I don’t really compare myself to others. I believe in myself and i work hard towards my success”.
“As a young man, Yes I’m really satisfied for everything that I have achieved being a 19 year old.
“My favourite Cricketer is Virat Kohli”.
“In 2019/2020 I played a match against Prince of Wales (under 19 Division 01) where I scored 200 in my first innings and 100 in the second innings. Actually I received many compliments during that match regarding my fitness and batting skills. And I’d say that’s the best compliment I have received thus far in my life”.
“The current pandemic has taught me, even when the days are tougher to train more harder, so that I can be a better playerin my sports career”
“When I grow up I want to represent my beloved country and put my country’s name at the highest position”.
“On a concluding note Pawan said that i like to describe myself as a energetic and humble person in life and i hope to bring Sri Lanka Cricket to a better position , finally that’s the kind of legasy I wanted to be remembered”.