Sri Lankan young batsman, Avishka Fernando’s father, had collapsed at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo when former was batting at 77 during the second One-day International against Bangladesh on Sunday (July 28).
The highly-talented 21-year-old Fernando had played a match-winning knock for the Islanders. Thus, he handed them an easy-peasy seven-wicket win over the Tigers led by Tamim
Thilanga Sumathipala attends Avishka Fernando’s father:
The officials admitted Fernando’s diabetic father to a nearby hospital after he fainted. Also, the former Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) president Thilanga Sumathipala had attended Fernando’s father inside an ambulance following the emergencny.
However, Fernando came to know about his father’s illness soon after returning to the pavilion when Tamim caught him on the bowling of Mustafizur Rahman.
Recently, the cricketing world had witnessed James Neesham losing his childhood coach David James Gordon, who passed away while watching his ward Neesham hitting a six in the super over of the ICC World Cup 2019 grand final held at Lord’s on July 14.
For that, Neesham had paid tribute to his school coach.
In a similar sort of an unfortunate incident, Fernando’s father had collapsed before the young star slammed 75-ball 82 in bid to help his team to seal the 50-over series.
However, Fernando himself revealed that his father is doing well. He had bagged a Man of the Match award for his exciting knock.
“I was batting in the middle when my father collapsed and I was totally unaware of the fact. I only got to know about it after I was dismissed,” said Fernando.
Fernando, who slammed a second half-century in the initial days of his ODI career, has already recorded a fine ton against the Windies during the ODI showpiece.
Batting first, Bangladesh managed to score 238 for eight in 50 overs. For the Tigers, the wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten on 98 off 110 balls.
For Lankans, Nuwan Pradeer Isuru Udana and Dhananjaya de Silva had bagged a two-wicket each.
In response, Sri Lanka overhauled the target in 44.4 overs with the help of fine fifties from Fernando and Angelo Mathews 52 (57).
Karunaratne leads from the front:
Sri Lanka is back on track under Dimuth Karunaratne’s leadership, and they managed just three wins in nine matches.
However, the inclement English weather had marred two Sri Lankan games during the ODI showpiece.
Sri Lanka opener Avishka Fernando's father has been admitted to hospital after he was fainted while watching 2nd ODI between Sri Lanka & Bangladesh played at R Premadasa stadium. Avishka on 77*. #SLvBAN pic.twitter.com/wLXhD1UShn
— Manjula Basnayake (@BasnayakeM) July 28, 2019