Avishka Fernando – Another opportunity to cement his place

Monday, 5 October 2026 02:57 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Burly, hard-hitting right-handed opening batsman Avishka Fernando gets another chance to cement his place in the Sri Lanka One-Day International side when he was recalled to the squad of 16 picked for the One-Day Tri-Series in Pakistan which also involves England.

Fernando last played for Sri Lanka in the ODI home series against Australia in February 2025. He has earned his international comeback on the back of a sensational domestic season with SSC, whom he captains.

In the Major Club Limited-Over Tournament, where SSC ended runner-up to Moors SC, Fernando finished as the leading run scorer, amassing 447 runs across seven innings, at an impressive average of 63.85, which included two centuries – notably a massive career-best 160 off 129 balls against CCC and 138 off 114 balls against Bloomfield – both scored within three days of each other in the month of September.

The only other change from the squad that toured England for the three-match ODI series is the inclusion of left-handed batting all-rounder Sahan Arachchige, who bowls off-breaks as well.

He is fresh from leading a second string Sri Lanka side to win the Bronze medal at the Asian Games in Japan, where he starred in a crucial 93-run partnership with Tharindu Rathnayake, scoring 33 off 37 balls to guide Sri Lanka to victory against Bangladesh in the Third Place Play-off. He also showed excellent form in the 2026 Lanka Premier League, where he hit 240 runs at a strike rate of 147.23.

Fernando and Arachchige replace out-of-form Charith Asalanka and leg-spin all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, who is reported to be recovering from a lower back pain that cut short his tour to England. The rest of the squad retain their places from the England tour.

Opening batsman Pathum Nissanka has been picked but will travel with the team only if he is declared medically fit. He is recovering from a strained right leg that he suffered while fielding in the third ODI against England, which resulted in him being left out of the Sri Lanka T20I squad to Pakistan.

Sri Lanka has retained their four frontline pace options in Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, and Dilshan Madushanka. The spin contingent comprises Maheesh Theekshana, Sachindu Colombage, and Dunith Wellalage.

Sri Lanka, who lost the bilateral ODI series to England 2-1, have a good chance to rectify that loss when they meet the same opposition twice in the One-Day Tri-Series in Pakistan conditions which will be more akin to the subcontinent pitches experienced at home.

Sri Lanka, who play the curtain-raiser match against host Pakistan on 18 October, meet England on 22 and 29 October. All matches will take place at Rawalpindi and Lahore.

The squad: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (Captain), Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Sachindu Colombage, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga