Which Qualities Connect Asitha Fernando with Mohammad Asif

In the world of cricket, bowlers with the ability to swing the ball both ways, bowl with deceptive pace, and take key wickets at crucial moments are revered. Among those who have demonstrated these exceptional qualities, Mohammad Asif, the former Pakistani pacer, stands out as one of the finest swing bowlers of his era. Recently, Sri Lankan fast bowler Asitha Fernando has drawn comparisons to Asif, with experts noting striking similarities between the two. 

He Can Swing the Ball in Both Ways

Mohammad Asif and Asitha Fernando both share the wizardry of swinging the ball both ways like cricket’s very own sorcerers. Asif, in his prime, could make the ball dance like a magician’s wand, swinging it left or right without even twitching his wrist. It was like watching a conjurer perform tricks that left batters bewildered and searching for their lost stumps!

Asif’s control over swing, whether conventional or reverse, was instrumental in his success against some of the world’s best batters. His ability to outfox opponents with subtle variations in swing earned him a reputation as one of the most dangerous bowlers of his time.

Asitha Fernando, in the eyes of former Pakistani pace magician Aaqib Javed, is like a wizard with a wand. Javed marvels at Fernando’s talent for swinging the ball both ways without so much as a wrist flick. It’s a rare and priceless skill in the fast bowling world, akin to pulling off a magic trick without revealing the secret. 

Tricky Deliveries with Sliding Pace

Another quality that connects Asif and Fernando is their Sliding pace, which often complements their swing bowling. While neither of them is known for express pace, their deliveries tend to zip off the pitch, surprising batters who may already be struggling to handle the swing.

Mohammad Asif’s secret weapon was his skiddy charm. He might not have been the fastest bowler on the block, but his deliveries had the sneaky knack of skidding off the pitch like a greased weasel. Batters would be left flailing, trying to adjust their shots while Asif’s ball zipped past them like a cheeky ninja on the loose. His blend of skiddiness and swing made him a trickster in any bowling alley.

Timely Key Dismissals

The ability to take crucial wickets at important junctures of a match is a hallmark of any great bowler, and this is another area where Asitha Fernando shows a resemblance to Mohammad Asif. Throughout his career, Asif was known for his knack of dismissing top-order batters when his team needed it the most. His ability to break partnerships and remove key players was invaluable to Pakistan, often turning the course of matches in his team’s favor.

Asitha Fernando, though still early in his career, has shown a similar ability to step up when it matters most. A prime example of this was in the first Test against England at Old Trafford, where Fernando’s dismissals of Ollie Pope and Joe Root were game-changing moments. These were not just any wickets; they were the scalps of two of England’s most important batters, and they came at a time when Sri Lanka desperately needed breakthroughs.

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