Avishka Fernando

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Not to be confused with Asitha Fernando.

Avishka Fernando
Personal information
Full nameWeerahandige Inol Avishka Fernando
Born (1998-04-05) 5 April 1998 (age 23)
Wadduwa, Sri Lanka
NicknameAva
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm medium-fast
RoleOpening batsman
International information
National side
ODI debut (cap 175)31 August 2016 v Australia
Last ODI7 September 2021 v South Africa
T20I debut (cap 79)19 March 2019 v South Africa
Last T20I13 February 2022 v Australia
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
2018–presentColts Cricket Club
2019–presentChittagong Vikings
2020Jaffna Stallions
Career statistics
Competition ODI T20I FC LA
Matches 26 31 22 61
Runs scored 964 331 1,179 2,453
Batting average 37.07 12.25 31.86 43.80
100s/50s 3/5 0/0 2/5 8/11
Top score 127 37 223 139
Catches/stumpings 9/– 7/– 19/– 23/–
Source: Cricinfo, 13 February 2022

Weerahandige Inol Avishka Fernando (born 5 April 1998), commonly as Avishka Fernando, is a professional Sri Lankan cricketer, who currently plays limited over internationals for Sri Lanka national team. He plays for Colts Cricket Club in domestic cricket, and he made his international debut for the Sri Lanka cricket team in August 2016. He had his education in St. Sebastian's College, Moratuwa.

Youth and domestic career[]

Avishka Fernando has the record for scoring the most runs in Youth ODI history for Sri Lanka (1379 runs)[1] He too has the record for scoring the most centuries for Sri Lanka in Youth ODI history(4).[2]

He was also the part of the Sri Lankan team which won the ACC Emerging teams asia cup 2017 by defeating Pakistan by 5 wickets.[3]

He made his Twenty20 debut for Colts Cricket Club in the 2017–18 SLC Twenty20 Tournament on 24 February 2018.[4]

In April 2018, he was named in Kandy's squad for the 2018 Super Provincial One Day Tournament.[5] In August 2018, he was named in Colombo's squad the 2018 SLC T20 League.[6] In March 2019, he was named in Colombo's squad for the 2019 Super Provincial One Day Tournament.[7] In November 2019, he was selected to play for the Chattogram Challengers in the 2019–20 Bangladesh Premier League.[8]

He hit 95 from 96 balls in Sri Lanka's victory over England in the quarter-final of the 2016 Under-19 World Cup, and later in the year would hit two consecutive hundreds against the same opposition, this time in a bilateral series in England.[9] Sri Lanka U-19s whitewashed England U-19s for the first time in England as well.

Franchise cricket[]

In October 2020, he was drafted by the Jaffna Stallions for the inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League.[10] In the first match of Jaffna Stallions with Galle Gladiators Avishka scored match winning unbeaten 92 runs from 63 deliveries while chasing 175 runs. He hit 5 boundaries and 7 sixes guiding 8 wicket win for the team. Finally he won player of the match award for his performance.[11]

On 9th match of the series, Avishka scored another match winning half century against same opposition. He scored 84 runs from 59 balls hitting seven boundaries and five sixes. Courtesy of his knock, Jaffna Stallions easily chased down 170 target and won the match by 5 wickets. Avishka won player of the match award for his performance.[12] He is the fourth highest run scorer in the LPL series, scoring 275 runs in 8 innings with the average of 39.28 including two half centuries.[13]

On March 18, 2021, semi final of 2020-21 SLC Twenty-20 Tournament, Avishka scored match winning 65 runs from 48 balls against Colombo Cricket Club. He hit three boundaries and four sixes in his innings. Finally Sinhalese Sports Club won the match by 32 runs.[14]

In March 2021, he was part of the Sinhalese Sports Club team that won the 2020–21 SLC Twenty20 Tournament, the first time they had won the tournament since 2005.[15] On April 1, 2021, Major Clubs Limited Over tournament, Avishka scored match winning century. He scored 132 runs hitting 13 boundaries and 5 sixes from 106 balls. He put a strong partnership with Charith Asalanka who scored a century too. Finally Sinhalese Sports Club chased down the target of 278 runs. Sinhalese Sports Club won the match by 8 wickets and 68 balls remaining.[16]

In August 2021, he was named as the vice-captain of the SLC Reds team for the 2021 SLC Invitational T20 League tournament.[17] On August 16, 2021, SLC Invitational T20 League, Avishka scored unbeaten 82 runs from 58 balls and guided SLC team to 10 wicket victory. He put strong opening partnership with Dinesh Chandimal. He hit four boundaries and six sixes in his innings.[18]

In November 2021, he was selected to play for the Jaffna Kings following the players' draft for the 2021 Lanka Premier League.[19] On 8 December 2021, against Kandy Warriors Avishka scored his 12th half century in T20 cricket, his 3rd half century in Lanka Premiere League, first one in this edition. Match was interrupted with the rain and limited to 14 overs per side. He scored 53 runs from 23 balls hitting seven sixes. During that innings he hit five consecutive sixes in one single over against Tillakaratne Sampath. He also put 105 run partnership with Jaffna Kings captain Thisara Perera, who also scored a half century. Finally Jaffna Kings won the match by 14 runs.[20][21]

On 21 December 2021, against Dambulla Giants, Avishka scored his first T20 century scoring 100 runs. He is the first person to score century in this LPL season and first Sri Lankan to do so, second cricketer overall. Avishka shared 122 runs for the first wicket with Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Courtesy of 64 ball century Jaffna Kings won the match and Avishka won player of the match award.[22]

His good form continued in the final of Lanka Premiere League on 23 December 2021. He scored quick 63 runs from 41 balls hitting 8 fours and 2 sixes and his innings help to put 201 runs on the board against Galle Gladiators. Finally Jaffna Kings won the match by 23 runs and became champions. Avishka won player of the match and Player of the tournament awards for his performance throughout the series.[23]

He ended the series as the second highest run scorer in the series scoring 312 runs in 10 innings with average of 34.66 including two half centuries and one century.[23]

International career[]

As an 18-year-old, he has been picked in Sri Lankan ODI squad for their home series against Australia.[24] He earned his first call-up to the national ODI team without having played any T20 or List A or first-class cricket. He made his One Day International debut for Sri Lanka against Australia on 31 August 2016 at Dambulla. He was dismissed for a duck after facing two balls from Mitchell Starc.[25]

In December 2018, he was named in Sri Lanka team for the 2018 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup.[26] He made his Twenty20 International debut for Sri Lanka against South Africa on 19 March 2019.[27]

In April 2019, he was named in Sri Lanka's squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup.[28][29] He played as the opening partner for skipper Dimuth Karunaratne in ODI series against Scotland prior to the World Cup. In the second ODI, he scored his maiden ODI fifty. Sri Lanka won the match by 35 runs in DLS method.[30]

In his first World Cup appearance, he scored 49 runs against England. His stroke play against England pacer Jofra Archer with 24 off 15 balls was described by former Sri Lankan batsman Kumar Sangakkara as, "He's got timing, this boy!" on TV commentary. Sri Lanka won the match by 20 runs to continue fourth consecutive World Cup win over England.[31] On 1 July 2019, in the match against the West Indies, he scored his first century in ODIs, becoming the 27th Sri Lankan to score a century.[32] Sri Lanka won the match by 20 runs and Fernando won his first man of the match award. Following the World Cup, the International Cricket Council (ICC) named Fernando as the rising star of the squad.[33]

During the second ODI against Bangladesh, he scored a match-winning knock 82 off 75 balls to win the match by 7 wickets. With that match, Sri Lanka won the series 2-0 which was recorded as their first win after 44 months on home soil. Fernando won man of the match award for his batting performance.[34] He was named in Sri Lanka's squad for tour of Pakistan in September 2019.[35] He scored only 4 runs in the two matches against Pakistan where Sri Lanka lost the series 2–0.

On 25 February 2020 against West Indies, Fernando scored his second ODI century. He along with Kusal Mendis put a 239-run partnership for the third wicket. This is the highest third wicket partnership for Sri Lanka in ODIs. Fernando scored 127 runs and Mendis scored 119 runs to post an imposing total of 345, which is recorded as the highest ODI total without hitting a six.[36] West Indies collapse in the chase and Sri Lanka won the match by 161 runs.[37] This is the biggest win in terms of runs against Windies by Sri Lanka in ODIs as well. With this win, Sri Lanka won the series 2–0 to give them an unassailable lead in the series. Fernando won the man of the match award for match-winning batting performance.[38][39]

On 23 July 2021 against India, he scored his 5th ODI half century and guided victory for Sri Lanka. This was his second consecutive half century in the series and he put century partnership with Bhanuka Rajapaksa. He won player of the match award for his performance.[40] On 2 September 2021 in the first ODI against South Africa, he scored his third ODI century and helped Sri Lanka to post a total of 301 in 50 overs. Finally, Sri Lanka won the match by 14 runs and Avishka was adjudged as the man of the match.[41] Eventually, Sri Lanka won the ODI series 2–1.[42] Later the same month, Fernando was named in Sri Lanka's squad for the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.[43]

On 7 October 2021, 1st T20 match against Oman, Avishka scored a half century. He scored unbeaten 83 runs and put strong partnership with captain Dasun Shanaka, who smashed 51 off 24. The pair put 112 off the final 56 balls. Finally, Sri Lanka won the match by 19 runs.[44]

Their first warm-up match in Abu Dhabi against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka won by four wickets with an over to spare. Avishka top scorer with bat scoring unbeaten 62 runs from 42 balls while chasing 147 runs.[45]

His fine form continued in the next warm up match. Second match against Papua New Guinea Avishka scored another half century. He scored 61 runs from 37 balls hitting two boundaries and four sixes. He put a strong partnership with Pathum Nissanka. Finally Sri Lanka won the match by 39 runs.[46]

References[]

  1. ^ "Cricket Records | Records | Sri Lanka Under-19s | Under-19s Youth One-Day Internationals | Most runs | ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  2. ^ "Cricket Records | Records | Sri Lanka Under-19s | Under-19s Youth One-Day Internationals | Most hundreds | ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  3. ^ "Sri Lanka Under-23 Squad". Cricinfo. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  4. ^ "Group B, SLC Twenty-20 Tournament at Panagoda, Feb 24 2018". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  5. ^ "SLC Super Provincial 50 over tournament squads and fixtures". The Papare. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  6. ^ "SLC T20 League 2018 squads finalized". The Papare. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  7. ^ "Squads, Fixtures announced for SLC Provincial 50 Overs Tournament". The Papare. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  8. ^ "BPL draft: Tamim Iqbal to team up with coach Mohammad Salahuddin for Dhaka". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  9. ^ "SL U-19 versus England U19". 16 August 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  10. ^ "Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and Shahid Afridi among big names taken at LPL draft". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  11. ^ "Full Scorecard of Gladiators vs Stallions 2nd Match 2020/21 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  12. ^ "Full Scorecard of Gladiators vs Stallions 9th Match 2020/21 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  13. ^ "Lanka Premier League, 2020/21 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  14. ^ "Full Scorecard of Sinhalese vs Col CC 1st semi final 2020/21 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  15. ^ "SSC blow up Army to regain title after 16 years". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  16. ^ "Full Scorecard of Colts vs Sinhalese Group D 2020/21 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  17. ^ "Sri Lanka Cricket announce Invitational T20 squads and schedule". The Papare. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  18. ^ "Full Scorecard of Greens vs Reds 5th Match 2021 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  19. ^ "Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews miss out on LPL drafts". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  20. ^ "Kings beat Warriors Kings won by 14 runs (D/L method) - Kings vs Warriors, Lanka Premier League, 7th Match Match Summary, Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  21. ^ "LPL 2021: Match 7, Review: Jaffna Kings beat Kandy Warriors by 14 runs in a high-scoring contest". CricTracker. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  22. ^ "Avishka Fernando's maiden T20 hundred takes Jaffna Kings into LPL final". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  23. ^ a b "Kings beat Gladiators Kings won by 23 runs - Kings vs Gladiators, Lanka Premier League, Final Match Summary, Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  24. ^ Andrew Fernando (19 August 2016). "18-year-old Avishka Fernando in Sri Lanka ODI squad". Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  25. ^ "Australia tour of Sri Lanka, 4th ODI: Sri Lanka v Australia at Dambulla, Aug 31, 2016". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  26. ^ "Sri Lanka Squad for the ACC Emerging Teams Cup 2018". Sri Lanka Cricket. Archived from the original on 3 December 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  27. ^ "1st T20I (N), Sri Lanka tour of South Africa at Cape Town, Mar 19 2019". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  28. ^ "Thirimanne, Siriwardana, Vandersay picked in World Cup squad". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  29. ^ "Jeevan Mendis, Siriwardana, Vandersay make comebacks in Sri Lanka World Cup squad". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  30. ^ "Pradeep leads the way as Sri Lanka break win-less streak". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  31. ^ "Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews star as Sri Lanka stun England". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  32. ^ "Fernando strikes maiden ODI ton as Sri Lanka set West Indies testing target". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  33. ^ "CWC19 report card: Sri Lanka". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  34. ^ "Avishka Fernando, Angelo Mathews star as Sri Lanka wrap up series win". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  35. ^ "Sri Lanka announce ODI, T20 squads for Pakistan tour". Geo News. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  36. ^ "Record-breaking Sri Lankan batting delivers series win with 161-run victory". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  37. ^ "Mendis, Fernando and bowlers give Sri Lanka series win". The Papare. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  38. ^ "Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis hit tons as Sri Lanka dominate West Indies". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  39. ^ "Record-breaking Sri Lankan batting delivers series win with 161-run victory". International Cricket Council. Archived from the original on 26 February 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  40. ^ "Spinners, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa give Sri Lanka vital Super league points". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  41. ^ "Avishka Fernando century sets the platform as Sri Lanka take 1-0 lead". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  42. ^ "Debutant Maheesh Theekshana spins Sri Lanka to series victory". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  43. ^ "Theekshana and Rajapaksa surprise picks in Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup squad". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  44. ^ "Avishka, Shanaka, Kumara put Sri Lanka 1-0 up". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  45. ^ "Warm-up wrap: Sri Lanka overpower Bangladesh, Ireland skipper proves fitness". www.icc-cricket.com. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  46. ^ "Full Scorecard of Sri Lanka vs P.N.G. 2021/22 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 16 October 2021.

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