After Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka slammed a record-breaking double century in the first SL vs AFG ODI match, former South Africa batsman Herschelle Gibbs has given an interesting reaction to his milestone.
Gibbs went on ‘X’ to claim that he would have slammed the first ODI double-century for South Africa. This made fans remember his iconic 175-run innings he played against Australia in Johannesburg to chase down 435 runs against Australia, which is the highest-ever run chase in ODIs.
Herschelle Gibbs played an innings of 175 runs from 111 balls and smashed a total of 21 fours and seven sixes during his stay at the crease. Gibbs’ knock ensured South Africa created history at the Wanderers and were able to win the match by 1 wicket and achieve a brilliant milestone.
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Herschelle Gibbs comments on Pathum Nissanka’s double-century
Would have pissed it in 2006 if I was concerned about stats ..
— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) February 9, 2024
Herschelle Gibbs’ tweet read, “Would have pissed it in 2006 if I was concerned about stats …”, as per Herschelle Gibbs, he would have become the first batsman to slam a double century in ODI cricket if he was worried about his stats back in 2006.
Remembering the iconic SA vs AUS 2006 5th ODI match, batting first Australia had put up a score of 434/4 courtesy of a brilliant century by captain Ricky Ponting. Ponting played an innings of 164 runs from 105 balls. Michael Hussey also played a knock of 81 runs from 51 balls.
Chasing down the target, South African skipper Graeme Smith played an innings of 90 runs apart from Herschelle Gibbs’ smashing hundred. Mark Boucher was unbeaten on 50 runs and played an important role in helping South Africa chase down the target.
After surpassing both “universe boss” Chris Gayle and Indian great Virender Sehwag to smash a double hundred, Pathum Nissanka became the third-quickest batsman in the history of international cricket to achieve the milestone. While Sehwag reached the milestone in 140 balls, Gayle smashed the double century in 138 balls. In 136 balls, Nissanka accomplished the milestone.
Getting back to the SL vs AFG first ODI match, Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka created history in Kandy. Nissanka played an innings of 210 runs from 139 balls and hit a total of 20 fours and 8 sixes during his stay at the crease.
Pathum Nissanka now has the best score by a Sri Lankan batsman in the 50-over format and became the first batter to hit a double century in ODI cricket. Nissanka broke the previous mark held by renowned Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya. In 2000, Jayasuriya amassed 189 runs in opposition against India.
Ishan Kishan, a young opener for India, presently owns the record for smashing the fastest century in One-Day International cricket. He achieved this feat against Bangladesh in just 126 balls. In the recently concluded ODI World Cup, Australia’s Glenn Maxwell ranked second, hit the mark against Afghanistan in 128 balls.
Pathum Nissanka became the 10th batsman in the history of international cricket to hit an ODI double century. He joined the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, Chris Gayle, Martin Guptill, Fakhar Zaman, Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, and Glenn Maxwell.
The Sri Lankan team will want to continue the momentum they gained after winning the ODI series against Zimbabwe by 2-0.