21-year-old Avishka Fernando becomes the third youngest batsman from Sri Lanka to score an ODI century. Dinesh Chandimal (20 years 199 days) and Upul Tharanga (20 years 212 days) occupy the first two spots. Playing against West Indies in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Fernando smashed a run-a-ball century to help Sri Lanka post a massive total of 338 for six. This is apparently Sri Lanka’s first century in this World Cup.
Fernando has been on good form and in limited opportunities in this World Cup, the right-hander impressed one and all. Interestingly, Fernando made his ODI debut in 2016 against Australia and was dismissed for a two-ball duck. The batsman has thus far played nine ODIs and has scored 328 runs from nine innings. Apart from ODIs, Fernando has also represented Sri Lanka in three T20Is.
In a match where veterans Lasith Malinga and Angelo Mathews played vital roles, the star was youngster Avishka Fernando. Sri Lanka desperately needed someone to bank on, and Fernando might be the answer. The Wadduwa-born cricketer’s gritty knock was composed of nine fours and a couple of sixes. From what we have seen today, he seems to be a player to look forward to.
