Deshabandu Warnakulasuriya Patabendige Ushantha Joseph Chaminda Vaas (born 27 January 1974) is a former Sri Lankan international cricketer who represented the Sri Lanka national cricket team. A left-arm fast-medium bowler, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers produced by Sri Lanka and among the most successful bowlers in international cricket.
| Full name | Deshabandu Warnakulasuriya Patabendige Ushantha Joseph Chaminda Vaas |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 27 January 1974 |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Role | Bowler |
| Bowling style | Fast-medium |
| National team | Sri Lanka |
| Career length | Fifteen years in international cricket |
| Major honours | 1996 Cricket World Cup; 2002 ICC Champions Trophy |
Vaas served as Sri Lanka's leading new-ball bowler for much of his career and was noted for his durability, remaining relatively free of injury through fifteen years of international cricket. He set a number of national and international records as a bowler.
Vaas's combination of swing, control and longevity made him a central figure in Sri Lanka's emergence as a major force in international cricket during the late 1990s and 2000s. His ODI bowling records, particularly his eight-wicket haul, remain among the most distinctive individual achievements in the limited-overs format. He is also noted as having one of the longest names among international cricketers.