Franklyn Saliya Ahangama had a meteoric rise to the Sri Lankan Test side. After making his first-class debut for the Sri Lankan Colts in 1985-86, he found himself thrust into the Test side to play India a mere two weeks later. He had a
triumphant entry into Test cricket capturing the wicket of Mohammad Azharuddin with only his fourth ball finishing with a match analysis of 5 for 109. In the third Test at Kandy he returned a career-best 5 for 52, ending the three-Test series with 18 wickets at 19.33. Sri Lanka's lack of Test cricket and injuries
prevented him from appearing in more, and despite touring England in 1988 and 1991 he never played another Test. He subsequently moved into broadcasting as a television commentator.
