Asitha Fernando

Asitha Fernando is another fast-bowler emerging from Sri Lankan age-group cricket, who bowls right-arm medium-fast with a skiddy action from a small run-up. 

The right-arm pacer represented Sri Lanka in the 2016 Under-19 World Cup. He led the bowling attack with Lahiru Kumara, and finished as Sri Lanka’s highest wicket-taker with 11 wickets, taking his side to the semifinals of the ICC event. Following his First-Class debut against Pakistan-A and Asitha dismissed Fakhar Zaman twice in the four-day game, thereby making a name for himself. 

A national call-up was never too far and Fernando was picked for the Test series against Australia in 2016 but never featured in any of the games. The Katuneriya-born made his international debut in 2017 against Zimbabwe in a 50-over match but couldn’t impress much. 

In 2018, the St. Sebastian College alumnus made his T20 debut for Chilaw Marians Cricket Club in the 2017-18 Twenty20 Tournament, and a month later was named in Dambulla’s squad for the Super Four Provincial Tournament, the same season.

His performances in the domestic circuit led to a national call-up for the T20I series Bangladesh but didn’t play. The Galle Gladiator cricketer was also named in the Test squad for the West Indies but wasn’t able to make his Test debut then. However, he made various headlines when he gifted a pair of his shoes to a net bowler from Jamaica. 

Fernando got his maiden Test cap against South Africa at Johannesburg in 2021 and his first victim in Test cricket was Aiden Markram. Then, he played both the Tests against touring England but didn’t enjoy much success. In February 2021, Fernando was named in Sri Lanka's T20I squad to play against West Indies. 

Asitha Fernando has the potential to be a force to reckon with for the Sri Lankan bowling attack if the pacer uses talent well and reflects it on the cricketing field. 

(As of March 2021)