Ashen Bandara

Ashen Bandara is, quite simply, one of Sri Lanka’s hottest prospects. A genuine all-rounder, Bandara has been destined for great things, following a glittering junior career.

In March 2021 he was fast-tracked to the national side, making his T20 debut against the West Indies. It didn't take long for Bandara to make an impression, hitting 44* in his third T20 international. A few days later, he struck 50 on his ODI debut, before a second half-century (55*) in his third match. The youngster has hit international cricket running and clearly has a bright future.

A schoolboy prodigy, Bandara starred for St. Aloysius’ College in Galle and excelled for the Sri Lankan Under-19s, before making a huge impression on the professional circuit, in first-class, List A, and T20 domestic cricket.

Having made his respective white-ball debut’s in January 2016 (T20) and March 2018 (List A), Bandara was rewarded with his first-class debut in February 2018. He impressed, hitting a brilliant 87* in his debut innings for Saracens in Sri Lanka’s Premier Tournament (Tier A).

He earned his professional debut, following a long stint with the national Under-19s. Bandara featured for Sri Lanka in 33 matches (5 Tests, 28 Youth ODI’s). During this period, he toured South Africa, England, Australia, Malaysia, and New Zealand – the latter for the 2017/18 ICC Under-19 World Cup (he averaged 37.88 with the bat).

Following his debut, the previous season, Bandara enjoyed a barnstorming full domestic season for Saracens in 2018/19. He struck 698 runs at 58.16 with a century (106) and five fifties.

This culminated with inclusion within numerous Sri Lankan sides since, including the Board President’s XI, Under-23, A, and Emerging Players. For the latter, he excelled in the Tri-Series (June/July 2019) with South Africa Emerging Players and University Sport South Africa, hitting 182 runs at 60.66.

Like many youngsters, he suffered a dip in form in 2019/20, hitting 297 runs at 22.84. However, he did manage to blitz his maiden T20 century (101*) amongst 179 runs at 44.75.

The rest, they say, is history. Bandara was whisked into the Sri Lankan national squad and impressed, therefore it appears he has a long and prosperous international career ahead of him.