"You might be the greatest ever Sri Lankan fast bowler" - Lankan bowling coach Aaqib Javed has high hopes for Asitha Fernando
Sri Lanka bowling coach Aaqib Javed feels Asitha Fernando has a high ceiling, following his exceptional displays during the tour of England. The right-arm pacer emerged as the leading wicket-taker during the three-match series, finishing with 17 scalps, including a five-wicket haul at the iconic Lord's.
Fernando came into the England tour on the back of a solid home series against India. While the spinners dominated the proceedings, he made an impact with his displays during the white-ball affair.
The 27-year-old earned high praise from Aaqib Javed midway through the series, when he was compared with former Pakistan pacer Mohammed Asif. After picking up three wickets in the historic series finale at The Oval, Javed has escalated his praise for the Lankan pacer.
"I think this guy is improving in the rankings as well, the bowling rankings. I think he has got all the potential. I was discussing with him, another seven to eight years, if you look after yourself, you might be the greatest ever Sri Lankan fast bowler. He has got pace, he has got swing, and uniqueness which we taught in the first Test, the ability to move both ways with the new ball. I think he is really impressive," Javed said via ESPNcricinfo.
Fernando's latest exploits have seen him rise in the ICC Test Rankings for bowlers. He breached the top 10 with his recent displays, jumping nine spots to claim the eighth spot.
Asitha Fernando has to overcome legends like Chaminda Vaas and Suranga Lakmal to be adjudged the best Sri Lankan Test pacer of all time
Having made his Test debut in 2021 against South Africa, Fernando endured a slow start. He picked up only seven wickets from his first four Tests, but a 10-wicket haul against Bangladesh in his fifth Test turned his career around.
He has played 17 Tests, taking 62 wickets at an average of 26.06. Fernando is currently the 12th-highest Test wicket-taker for Sri Lanka among pacers. Chaminda Vaas is the undisputed greatest Lankan pacer with 355 wickets, with Suranga Lakmal being the second name on the list with 171 scalps.