Pathirana Shows His Artistic Side With Heartfelt Tribute To Joburg Super Kings
Sri Lankan bowling sensation reveals hidden talent with team-inspired artwork for franchise.
Srijita De is a sports, makeup and fashion enthusiast with passion for providing readers with latest updates in the field. Armed with a postgraduate degree in English and Literature from the University of Calcutta, she has honed her writing skills and developed an in-depth understanding of the beauty and fashion world at Stylecraze, and sports at Cricketsweep.
Read full bio of Srijita De
Image: Instagram
Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana has revealed a creative side that fans rarely get to see, sharing his artistic talents with a heartfelt tribute to his SA20 franchise team. The Joburg Super Kings shared an image on their Instagram account showing Pathirana working on what appears to be a painting or artwork dedicated to the team.
The post, captioned “Pathirana paints where his heart plays! 🥩💛 #WhistleForJoburg #ToJoburgWeBelong,” shows the young cricketer engaged in creating art that represents his connection to the franchise. The image reveals Pathirana focused on his artwork, demonstrating talents that extend beyond his renowned bowling skills.
From Pace To Paintbrush
Pathirana, nicknamed ‘Baby Malinga’ for his slingy bowling action similar to Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga, has clearly developed a strong bond with the Joburg franchise. While he’s known for terrorizing batsmen with his unique bowling style, this glimpse into his artistic pursuits shows a gentler side to the pace sensation.
The image shared by the franchise shows Pathirana working with what appears to be yellow and blue colors – reflecting the team’s signature yellow color scheme. This artistic expression signals the bowler’s emotional connection to the team beyond just his professional obligations.
Joburg Super Kings: A Cricketing Powerhouse
The Joburg Super Kings are one of six teams that compete in South Africa’s SA20 T20 cricket league. The franchise is owned by Chennai Super Kings Sports Limited, the same group that owns the IPL’s Chennai Super Kings. The team plays its home games at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
The franchise follows a similar ‘Super Kings’ brand identity to its IPL counterpart, with the iconic yellow as its primary color. The team is led by South African cricketer Faf du Plessis, who has also captained the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.
Building Team Culture Through Engagement
Pathirana’s artistic tribute aligns with other team-building activities the Joburg Super Kings have been showcasing on their social media. Recent posts from the franchise highlight various aspects of team culture and player engagement.
In one recent post, the team challenged fans to identify a bowler with the caption “The roar is hidden! 🦁 Can you unmask the bowler?” – demonstrating how the franchise engages with supporters through interactive content.
Another post highlighted England’s Jonny Bairstow’s performance, stating “Bairstow goes big with a classy 86 💥😎” – showing the franchise’s support for individual player achievements.
The team has also emphasized fan connections, with posts featuring players like Imran Tahir signing autographs for supporters. A video clip shared with the caption “Signature of love from Tahir ✨😊” shows the veteran spinner’s interaction with the team’s supporters.
Building A Lasting Legacy
The franchise has been actively building its identity in the SA20 league, with emotional posts like “The journey ends here but our hustle to make you whistle continues forever! All we need is Yellove! 💛” showcasing their commitment to establishing a lasting connection with fans.
Pathirana’s artistic contribution appears to be another element of this team-building process, where players demonstrate their personal investment in the franchise beyond just playing cricket.
For a young international player like Pathirana to express his connection to the franchise through art indicates the success of the Joburg Super Kings in creating a team environment where players feel a sense of belonging, regardless of their nationality.
The Bowler With Multiple Talents
Pathirana’s rising profile in world cricket has been primarily built on his bowling prowess, particularly his unique action that draws comparisons to Malinga. His ability to deliver yorkers and slower balls with his unorthodox action has made him a valuable asset in T20 cricket.
This glimpse into his artistic side adds another dimension to the public’s perception of the cricketer, showing that professional athletes often have talents and interests that extend well beyond their sporting abilities.
As cricket franchises continue to build global identities and foster deeper connections with players from different countries, personal expressions like Pathirana’s artwork serve as powerful symbols of the bonds formed within these sporting organizations.
The Joburg Super Kings’ decision to highlight this moment demonstrates the franchise’s understanding of the importance of showcasing players’ personalities and off-field interests, helping fans connect with the human side of their sporting heroes.
Read full bio of Srijita De
