10 Facts about the Sri Lankan speedster Nuwan Pradeep

10 Facts about the Sri Lankan speedster Nuwan Pradeep: One of Sri Lanka’s most promising fast bowlers, Nuwan Pradeep won a pace contest in the year 2007, impressing the talent scouts in a soft-ball event, and was sent to Sri Lanka Cricket’s academy. The right arm fast bowler has a slinging action and troubled many batsmen in domestic cricket with his pace, generated from a long run-up. He toured Sri Lanka A to Australia in 2010, where he was among the quickest bowlers from both sides. Less than a month later, Pradeep received a call-up to the national squad for the second Test against India.

Here are 10 Facts about the Sri Lankan speedster Nuwan Pradeep:

1. Birth:

Nuwan Pradeep was born on October 19, 1986 in Negombo which is located on the West coast of the island.

2. Test debut:

Nuwan Pradeep made his Test debut against Pakistan in October 2011 at Abu Dhabi. Nuwan Pradeep did not take a wicket in the match which ended in a draw. He bowled 27 overs, including a maiden over and conceded 107 runs in the first innings. Pakistan batted only 10 overs in the second innings which saw Pradeep bowling a solitary over conceding 3 runs.

3. ODI debut:

Nuwan Pradeep’s ODI debut was against India at Colombo in July 2012. His spell was 1/52 from 8 overs.

4. Domestic T20 record:

Nuwan Pradeep has played 20 T20 matches in Sri Lanka’s domestic competition and taken 26 wickets at an economy rate of 7.42 runs per over and a strike rate of 14.1. Playing for Bloomfield C & AC his best performance of 5/17 was against SL Air Force SC which turned out to be a match winning one for his team. Nuwan Pradeep is yet to play a T20I for Sri Lanka.

Also Read – 10 Unbreakable T20 records

5. Best spell in Test cricket:

Nuwan Pradeep took 4/62 from 17 overs against India at the The Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo in August 2015; his best spell in an innings. SL lost this match; the 3^rd and final Test of the series which the home side lost 2-1.

6. Best spell in ODIs:

Nuwan Pradeep’s 2/63 from 10 overs was also against the Indians at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on 4^th August 2012. India won this match and the 5-match series 4-1.

7. Injuries:

Nuwan Pradeep has had his troubles with hamstring and ankle injuries forcing him out of many important Test matches for Sri Lanka. In 2011 Nuwan Pradeep missed the away series against England after damage to his anterior cruciate ligament. He was set to spearhead SL’s bowling in the Test series after a hostile and match winning spell of 4/29 in the tour game against England Lions. England won the 2 match series 1-0 and SL missed his services.

8. The 2011 IPL:

Nuwan Pradeep was signed by the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2011 edition of the Indian Premier League however did not get to play any match.

9. Personal life:

Nuwan Pradeep got married on 7th May 2015 to his longtime partner, Nilakshi Champika.

10. Stats:

Nuwan Pradeep has played 14 Tests and taken 36 wickets at a strike rate of 75.1. Having played only 5 ODIs Nuwan Pradeep has 4 wickets at an economy rate of 5.70 runs per over.