Bowling coach Aaqib Javed compares Asitha to Mohammad Asif

Fast bowling coach of the Sri Lanka team Aaqib Javed said that Asitha Fernando had the same qualities as that of Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif after he captured three top order England wickets on the second day to keep Sri Lanka in the game in the first Test at Old Trafford. 

“Not many people know about Asitha’s ability. Without changing his wrist, he can swing the ball both ways. I told him that after Mohammad Asif of Pakistan I saw that quality in him,” said Aaqib at the end of the day’s play.

“If he hits the right spot, he will be very successful. He bowled at good lengths today. If he hits regularly on that spot, he is the bowler to watch on this tour.”

“Sometimes you don’t know what happens with your wrist. Asitha has got different confidence levels. People change their wrists, but Asitha is so gifted, and they (batsman) even don’t know which way it (the ball) will go.”

“He has done really well taking early wickets. This is a low bounce pitch. Glad to see him taking wickets early on. Then he got the ball to reverse. That was the challenge coming to England.”

“Vishwa (Fernando) will be quite effective too. The pitch was very slow today. The ball was swinging and reverse swinging, but there was no carry. Lot of time for the batters to adjust. But he is a clever bowler.”

Aaqib said that coming to England is a challenge for any team playing against them because they tend to score fast.

“The scoring rate is crucial. We haven’t seen field placing like this in Test cricket. This is the counter attack that we came up with, to keep them quiet as much as possible.” 

(ST)