Paththamperuma Arachchige Don Lakshan Rangika Sandakan, commonly known as Lakshan Sandakan (born 10 June 1991) is a Sri Lankan professional cricketer who plays for the national team in all three formats of the game. He is a former student of De Mazenod College, Kandana.

The Ragama-born, then 20-year-old spinner began his premier journey for Colombo Cricket Club in the 2012 season. However, it was only the 2013/14 season that made Sandakan a star. The tweaker scalped 54 wickets on an average of 19.14 and followed that up by 45 wickets in the following top-flight season. There was no turning back for the weirdo when he chose Sri Lanka A to tour England and a national call-up was not yet in sight.

The Colombo-born made his Test debut against Australia to pick seven wickets on debut in 2016. The following month, the wrist spinner was selected to make his ODI debut against the same opponent. But the turning point in his career came against Touring Indians in 2017. In the longest format, Sandakan became the first Chinese player to reach a five-wicket draw in Tests in 14 long years.

Personal Life

Sandakan started playing cricket at the age of 17 and was educated at Mattumagala Karunaratne Buddhist College and De Mazenod College.

Domestic Career

Domestically, he is a first class cricketer, playing for Colombo Cricket Club. He took the most wickets in the 2015–16 Premier League tournament with a total of 52 layoffs from 10 games and 18 innings.

In March 2018, he was named to Colombo's roster for the 2017–18 Super Four Provincial Tournament. The following month, he was also named to Colombo's squad for the 2018 Super Provincial One Day Tournament. He was the leading wicket-taker for Colombo in the tournament, with 12 dismissals in five matches.

In August 2018 he was called up to Dambulla's squad for the 2018 SLC T20 League. In March 2019, he was named to Dambulla's roster for the 2019 Super Provincial One Day Tournament. In October 2020 he was drafted by the Galle Gladiators for the inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League.

In August 2021, he was named to the SLC Greens team for the 2021 SLC Invitational T20 League tournament. In November 2021, he was selected following the players' draft for the 2021 Lanka Premier League to play for the Colombo Stars.

International Career

In July 2016 he was called up to Sri Lanka's Test squad for the series against Australia. He made his Test debut for Sri Lanka against Australia on 26 July 2016.

In the first innings, Sandakan took his first Test wicket by bowling Mitchell Marsh. He took 4 for 58 runs in the first innings and 3 for 49 in the second innings. His match figures of 7 to 107 were the best by a slow wrist twist with his left arm on the Test debut. Sri Lanka won the game by 106 runs, giving them only their second win over Australia in 27 games.

He made his One Day International debut for Sri Lanka against Australia on 21 August 2016. He took his first ODI wicket by catching Matthew Wade in his first over.

In January 2017 he was called up to Sri Lanka's Twenty20 International (T20I) squad for the series against South Africa. He made his T20I debut for Sri Lanka on 22 January 2017 against South Africa, taking a wicket on his first delivery. He was the first Sri Lankan to achieve this feat.

On July 2, 2017, Sandakan was brought into the second ODI game against Zimbabwe. Sandakan took four wickets in the match, which Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets. He was recognized as his first man of the match award for his bowling achievement.

He took his first draw with five wickets on the second day of the third Test against India at the Pallekele International Stadium. He became the first left arm wrist twist slow bowler for Sri Lanka to score a five wicket pull in a Test innings. His numbers didn't stop Sri Lanka from winning the match due to poor batting performances in both innings. India won the match by one innings and 171 carries, also whitewashing Sri Lanka in Tests for the first time.

Sandakan played third test against India in Delhi. Despite taking four wickets in the first innings, he conceded more than 100 runs to the opposition. With few interruptions in testing due to air pollution, the game quietly ended early for the first two days. At batting, Sandakan helped skipper Dinesh Chandimal take his century to 150 by hanging at the other end as the final wicket.

In May 2018 he was one of 33 cricketers to receive a national contract from Sri Lanka Cricket ahead of the 2018–19 season. On 1 October 2021, he was included in Sri Lanka's squad for the 2021 ICC T20 Men's World Championship.

Career Stats

Test Career Stats

Lakshan has played 11 Tests and taken 37 wickets at 34.48. He played his first Test against Australia at Pallekele in July 2016. In that game, Sri Lanka batted first and were knocked out for 117. Sandakan batted in 10th place and went 19 unbeaten. When Australia batted, Lakshan took 4/58 to help bowl them for 203. He accounted for the wickets of March, O'Keefe, Starc and Lyon. Sri Lanka scored 353 the second time, setting Australia a goal of 268. This time, it took Sandakan 3/49 to sack the visitors for 161, giving Sri Lanka a 106-run win. Lakshan last appeared in a Test against England in Colombo in November 2018.

ODI Career Stats

Lakshan has taken 20 wickets in 24 ODIs at 58.05. He played his first game against Australia in Colombo on August 21, 2016, winning 2/33 in a losing affair. His best bowling performance came on July 2, 2017 in Galle against Zimbabwe. The visitors batted first and were ejected for 155. Lakshan took 4/52, making up the wickets of Ervine, Raza, Buri and Moor. Sri Lanka chased the goal down with 7 wickets and 119 balls. Lakshan last appeared in an ODI against the West Indies at Pallekele in March 2020.

T20I Career Stats

Lakshan has played 17 T20I matches in which he has won 17 wickets at 28.82. His first game came against South Africa in Johannesburg on January 27, 2017, when he helped 4/13 to oust the hosts on 113. Sri Lanka chased the target down with 3 wickets and 2 balls. Lakshan last appeared in an ODI against the West Indies at Pallekele in March 2020.