?Look right, look left – it’s Kamindu Mendis in action

Kamindu, who considers himself a batting all-rounder, however, has no thoughts about batting both ways, yet. “I can’t bat with both hands,” he said with a laugh. “But I can play reverse sweep.”

Avishka Gunawardene, the Sri Lankan team’s assistant coach, has welcomed Kamindu’s emergence. “I think it’s all up to the coaches, from the time they start playing cricket and the younger days itself, to identify talent. I am huge fan of unorthodox, which, I think, is very effective. If you look at (Lasith) Malinga, (Muttiah) Muralitharan – all unorthodox players,” he had said on the eve of the Pakistan match. “Even in world cricket, many unorthodox players have been successful. As long as they are in control and talented, I think we will continue to produce one or two who look different to the others once in a while.”

While his bowling made news for its uniqueness on the day, it was Kamindu’s batting that gave Sri Lanka respectability. Batting at No. 3, he made 68 off 104 balls, before a rush of blood forced him to step out and he was caught at long-on in the 35thover. Sri Lanka, in pursuit of 213 to top the group, failed to get going after that and was bowled out for 189 in 46.4 overs.

“My idea was to play 50 overs, but I made a bad decision and got out,” said Kamindu. “I think I should do less mistakes and do well in the remaining matches.”

With the bat and with the ball, there could well be more to come from Kamindu, and he might then become more than just a subject of curiosity.