Sri Lanka’s young fast bowler Asitha Fernando has been earning accolades for his recent performances, with the latest coming from his own bowling coach, Aaqib Javed. The former Pakistani pacer, known for his sharp eye in identifying bowling talent, recently compared Fernando to one of Pakistan’s most skillful bowlers, Mohammad Asif.
A Bowler in the Mold of Mohammad Asif
Aaqib Javed, speaking after Day 2 of the first Test between England and Sri Lanka at Old Trafford, highlighted Fernando’s ability to swing the ball both ways without altering his wrist position, a rare and valuable skill that reminds him of Mohammad Asif. Asif, who took 106 wickets in just 23 Test matches, was widely regarded for his exceptional control and movement off the seam.
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“I told him that after Mohammad Asif of Pakistan, I saw that quality in him. Not many people know about his ability. Without changing his wrist, he can swing the ball both ways,” Javed mentioned in his praise for Fernando.
Fernando’s Impact on the Match
Despite England scoring at nearly five runs per over, Asitha Fernando emerged as the most threatening bowler for Sri Lanka, claiming three key wickets, including those of captain Ollie Pope and the ever-reliable Joe Root. His figures of 3/68 were a testament to his growing stature in the Test arena.
Aaqib Javed’s confidence in Fernando’s potential stems from his own experience in spotting and nurturing talents like Asif, whom he picked out from the system early in his career. Javed explained that Fernando, much like Asif, has the natural ability to keep batsmen guessing with his subtle variations in swing.
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A Promising Future for Fernando
Asitha Fernando’s performances are steadily making him one of Sri Lanka’s most promising pacers. With comparisons to a bowler of Mohammad Asif’s caliber, expectations are high for the young pacer to continue developing and delivering match-winning performances for Sri Lanka.
The ongoing Test match between England and Sri Lanka remains delicately poised, with England taking a slender lead of 23 runs at the end of Day 2, thanks to Fernando’s efforts with the ball. As the series progresses, all eyes will be on Fernando to see if he can replicate his mentor’s success on the international stage.
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