Akshu Fernando
CountrySri Lanka
FullnameMerennage Akshu Prihan Fernando
Birth date11 March 1991
Birth placePanadura, Ceylon
Death date30 December 2025 (aged 34)
Death placeColombo, Sri Lanka
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight arm Offbreak
RoleAll-rounder
Club 1Colts
Year 12010–2011
Club 2Panadura
Year 22008/2012–2016
Club 3Ragama
Year 32017/18
Club 4Sri Lanka Under-19s
Year 42008–2010
Columns3
Column 1FC
Matches 139
Runs 11,067
Bat avg 123.19
100s/50s 11/5
Top score 1102*
Deliveries 1777
Wickets 111
Bowl avg 139.36
Fivefor 10
Tenfor 10
Best bowling 13/24
Catches/stumpings 120/–
Column 2List A
Matches 225
Runs 2298
Bat avg 219.86
100s/50s 20/1
Top score 267
Deliveries 2372
Wickets 27
Bowl avg 235.85
Fivefor 20
Tenfor 20
Best bowling 22/29
Catches/stumpings 28/–
Column 3T20
Matches 319
Runs 3200
Bat avg 314.28
100s/50s 30/0
Top score 324
Deliveries 3126
Wickets 37
Bowl avg 321.28
Fivefor 30
Tenfor 30
Best bowling 31/4
Catches/stumpings 312/–
Date1 January
Year2026
Sourcehttps://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/akshu-fernando-362076 Cricinfo

Merennage Akshu Prihan Fernando (11 March 1991 – 30 December 2025) was a Sri Lankan cricketer. He was a right-handed batsman and right-arm off-break bowler who played for Panadura Sports Club. He was born in Panadura.[1]

Career

Fernando made his cricketing debut in the 2008 Under-23 Tournament for Panadura, and also played in the 2009 competition. In 2010, he was selected to the 2010 Under-19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand. In the match against Canada, he scored a rapid 43 from 25 balls, where Sri Lanka U-19s scored 276/6 and eventually won the match by 134 runs.[2] Sri Lanka reached the semi finals in the tournament, where they played the semi final against Australia U-19s. However in a losing cause, Akshu made well compiling 52 off 88.[3]

Fernando's List A debut came in the 2009–10 Premier Limited Overs Tournament competition, against Sri Lanka Air Force, scoring 5 runs.[1] He featured in 39 first-class cricket matches representing Panadura and Ragama CC. His first-class hundred for Ragama Cricket Club came weeks before the train collision.[4]

Accident and death

On 28 December 2018, Akshu Fernando was critically injured and was admitted to the hospital after being hit by a train following training session with his teammates at Mount Lavinia.[5] The incident happened when he attempted to cross the railway track from the opposite direction after the first train passed by on the parallel track.[6]

After been in a coma for seven years, Fernando died on 30 December 2025 at the age of 34.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Akshu Fernando". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  2. ^ "Usman Qadir sets up Pakistan victory". espncricinfo.com. 31 December 2025. Retrieved 2026-01-02.
  3. ^ "Marsh helps Australia sneak into World Cup final". espncricinfo.com. 31 December 2025. Retrieved 2026-01-02.
  4. ^ "Former SL Under-19 player Akshu Fernando dies after being in coma for years". espncricinfo.com. 31 December 2025. Retrieved 2026-01-02.
  5. ^ Drysdale, Neil. "Aberdeenshire CC professional injured in train crash in Sri Lanka". Press and Journal. Retrieved 2018-12-31.
  6. ^ "Ex-Sri Lanka cricketer in rail tragedy". Sunday Observer. 29 December 2018. Retrieved 2018-12-31.
  7. ^ "Former Sri Lanka U-19 cricketer Akshu Fernando passes away". Daily Mirror. 30 December 2025. Retrieved 2025-12-30.