Roger Wijesuriya 1 for 48 in 8 Overs ODI Debut vs Pakistan 1st ODI, Karachi, March 12, 1982-83

Mr. Devotor

Today, we revisit the forgotten tale of Roger Wijesuriya, a left-arm spinner who played for Sri Lanka during the early years of their Test journey. Wijesuriya made his ODI debut against Pakistan on March 12, 1982, at Karachi, returning with figures of 1 for 48 in 8 overs. Although his career lasted only four Test matches and eight ODIs, he remains a unique figure in cricket history.  Unfortunately, Roger Wijesuriya is remembered for an unwanted record – having one of the worst bowling averages in Test cricket. But behind the numbers lies the story of a cricketer who represented his nation during its most challenging phase, when Sri Lanka was still finding its feet in international cricket.  This video takes you back to the 1980s, highlighting the struggles, the hope, and the reality of a bowler who deserves to be remembered not just for his stats, but for his contribution during the formative years of Sri Lanka’s cricketing journey.  📌 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE for more classic cricket stories.  🏷️ Hashtags:  #RogerWijesuriya #SriLankaCricket #ClassicCricket #ForgottenPlayers #CricketHistory #Cricket1980s #SriLankanCricket

Transcript

00:00Today we turn the pages of history to remember a largely forgotten name in Sri Lankan cricket,

00:06Roger Vijasuriya, a left-hand spinner who made his international debut against Pakistan

00:10at Karachi on March 12, 1982.

00:13In that very first ODI, he returned with figures of 1 for 48 in eight overs, a modest beginning

00:19on a big stage.

00:21Representing Sri Lanka in four test matches and eight ODIs, Vijasuriya International

00:26career was brief and sadly is often recalled for the wrong reasons.

00:30He holds the unenviable record of having one of the worst bowling average in test cricket

00:35history, a statistic that overshadowed his genuine talent with the ball.

00:40Yet beyond the numbers, he remains a reminder of Sri Lankan early struggle in the test arena,

00:46when raw potential often face the harsh realities of international cricket.

00:59The first game came, which Moshe Nishan has decided to play a single player, and now Mansour

01:09will play a single player, and this is a serious player.

01:13It was a very difficult game, and it was a very difficult game.

01:18It was a very difficult game.

01:20It was a clean ball, and Mansour Aftar had a game in the air.

01:25You peptides the entire stress tire itself followed and is a complete failure!

01:32And that mentors sent thevmoral movement, and it was a great case-offer!

01:41And commands engines actually didn't PR only This happened right now.

01:45And his impairment must be defeated until different may be defeated, and I was surprised

01:48that this victim Commander Matterslysya International

01:52and the main line is the same

01:54and the main line is the same

01:56and the main line is the same

02:00The Gageo Suriya is the same

02:03This is a good game

02:07Good length game

02:09We are now at Slyde

02:12The Gageo Suriya

02:22That's the onside field, feet mid-arm, the sniper mid-wicket, Kuala Gumpar.

02:35That should have been thumped, but the ball kept very low, the Jai Sekre, to effect thumping.

02:47That's near where we got the offside field.

03:03Whoever else takes the lead mid-off, trying to take the field in there.

03:17Roger Vijasuriya born on 18 February 1960.

03:33He is a former Sri Lankan cricketer who played a right-handed bassman and a left-arm orthodox

03:38spinner.

03:39Representing his country in four test matches and eight one-day international between 1982

03:44and 1985.

03:45Despite showing promise in domestic cricket, including taking 107 wickets in 42 first-class

03:51matches and achieving a best figure of 6 for 51, his international career was less successful,

03:57particularly in tests where he required an unusually high bowling average of 294.

04:02He had a notable first international appearance in an ODA Pakistan in 1982.

04:08And after Sephardic opportunities, his final international games came during the 1985-86 tour

04:14of Pakistan, where he claimed his sole test wicket and his best ODA figure of 2 for 25.

04:20After retiring from international play, Vijasuriya continued in Sri Lankan domestic cricket,

04:25tapering off his career by the mid-1990s.

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