ICC U19 World Cup 2020: Sri Lanka’s Matheesha Pathirana clocks 175 kph against India, is it the fastest ball ever?

On Sunday, January 19, the Indian side won their opener game against Sri Lanka in the U19 World Cup at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley. 

Priyam Garg’s 'Boys in Blue' gained victory by 90 runs, bowling the opposition out for 207 in 45.2 overs. 

While it was a disappointing match for the young Islanders, one player managed to grab limelight - 17-year-old right-arm fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana.

The speedster, whose action and style resemble that of legendary Lasith Malinga, clocked a stunning 175 kph (108mph) on the speed gun.

This makes it the fastest recorded ball ever bowled in international cricket - across all levels.

Sri-Lankan U19 Pacer Pathirana clocked a stunning 175 kph on the speed gun in #U19CWC match Against India on a Wide Ball.

On the right corner of the screen, the speed of the delivery showed at 108 mph. #INDvSL #INDU19vSLU19 #Cricket #CWCU19 pic.twitter.com/7uKD73zYn0

— Mahirat (@GOATKingKohli) January 20, 2020

The umpire had, however, signalled a wide as the ball zoomed past Yashasvi Jaiswal and into the wicketkeeper's gloves. 

However, while the right corner of the screen showed the speed of the delivery at 108 mph, doubts of some technical glitch taking place while calculating the speed is doing the rounds.

If Pathirana's delivery is the fastest recorded ball ever at any level of international cricket, he would have surpassed former Pakistan speedster, Shoaib Akhtar.

Akhtar had reached 161.3kph (100mph) in an ODI vs England during the World Cup 2003.

Here are the top-3 fastest balls bowled in the history of senior international cricket:

161.3kph: Shoaib Akhtar, ODI v England in 2003 at Newlands

161.1kph: Shaun Tait, ODI v England in 2010 at Lord's

161.1kph: Brett Lee, ODI v NZ in 2005 at Napier

For now, the time being, the record belongs to the upcoming young bowler from Lanka.