Sri Lanka’s bowling coach, Aaqib Javed lauded Asitha Fernando on Thursday, August 22, drawing a comparison to the legendary Pakistani bowler Mohammad Asif following his impressive figures of 3/68 on Day 2 of the first Test against England at Old Trafford.
Fernando showcased his ability to swing the ball both ways and utilized his skiddy pace to clinch three of the top-four English wickets, including the captain, Ollie Pope, and veteran batter Joe Root.
In his 14 overs, he conceded nearly five runs per over but remained the most menacing pacer on the field.
“I told him that after Mohammad Asif of Pakistan I saw that quality in him,” Javed said in a press conference. “Not many people know about his ability. Without changing his wrist, he can swing the ball both ways.”
Asif who was significantly taller than Fernando and thus generated more bounce rather than skid, amassed an impressive 106 wickets in just 23 Tests, earning a reputation as a magician among fast-bowling artists. Unfortunately, his career was cut short when he became embroiled in a spot-fixing scandal in 2010.
Aaqib Javed believes Asitha is gifted
Javed, himself a former fast bowler for Pakistan, felt confident in making the comparison as he was among the first to recognize Asif’s talent, noting that Asitha’s “gifted” control could similarly challenge batters.
“I actually picked Mohammad Asif. He wasn’t in the system,” he said in the press conference. “That’s how I know Asif a lot. Sometimes you don’t know what happens with your wrist. He (Asitha) has now got different confidence levels. People change their wrists, change the shine (which way it is showing) – but Asitha is so gifted, and they (the batters) even don’t know which way it will go.”
As England found themselves down six wickets with a lead of 23 runs after a rain-affected Day 2, Asitha would be on the hunt for his second five-wicket haul in Test cricket on Day 3.
