Asitha

Fernando

Sri Lanka
Bowler

Asitha

About Asitha Fernando

Name
Asitha Fernando
Born
Jul 31, 1997 (27 years)
Birth Place
Sri Lanka
Role
Bowler
Batting Style
Right Handed
Bowling Style
Right-arm medium fast

Asitha Madusanka Fernando, born on 31 July 1997 in Katuneriya, Sri Lanka, is a right-arm medium-fast bowler who has emerged as a key figure in Sri Lanka's pace attack across all formats. Growing up in a coastal fishing village, Fernando's early life was marked by humble beginnings. His father, a fisherman, often took him out to sea, instilling in him resilience and determination.


Despite limited access to cricketing facilities, Fernando honed his skills playing softball cricket and developed a knack for reverse swing with the old ball, a skill that would later become his trademark.



Fernando's talent was recognized during his time at St. Sebastian's College in Katuneriya, leading to his selection for the Sri Lanka Under-19 team. He made a significant impact at the 2016 ICC Under-19 World Cup, finishing as Sri Lanka's leading wicket-taker with 11 wickets in six matches. His performances caught the attention of national selectors, and he was included in the Test squad for the series against Australia in 2016, although he did not play in any matches at that time.​



Fernando made his ODI debut on 8 July 2017 against Zimbabwe in Hambantota. However, it wasn't until January 2021 that he made his Test debut against South Africa in Johannesburg. His breakthrough came under the guidance of head coach Chris Silverwood in 2022, when he became the first Sri Lankan right-arm fast bowler to take ten wickets in a Test match during a game against Bangladesh. 



Standing at 5 feet 11 inches, Fernando's bowling is characterized by a smooth, skiddy action that often surprises batsmen with its pace and movement. While his batting contributions have been minimal, he has had moments of brilliance, such as scoring ten runs off three balls to secure a win against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup T20 semi-final in 2022.
Beyond international cricket, Fernando has played for various domestic teams, including Chilaw Marians Cricket Club and Nondescripts Cricket Club. He also represented Nottinghamshire in England, becoming only the second Sri Lankan to play for the county.



Fernando's journey from a small fishing village to the international cricket arena is a testament to his perseverance and dedication. As he continues to develop his skills, he remains a vital asset in Sri Lanka's quest to strengthen their fast-bowling department. 

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ICC Ranking

# 20
Test
# 59
ODI
# 486
T20I

Career Stats

Batting
Bowling
Batter
Test
ODI
T20I
Domestic-Firstclass
Matches
24
20
7
67
Innings
34
5
3
80
Runs
58
3
11
248
Highest Score
11
2
10
30
SR
26.00
15.00
220.00
43.00
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Teams Played For

Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Colombo Cricket Club
Colombo Cricket Club
Chilaw Marians Cricket Club
Chilaw Marians Cricket Club
Glamorgan
Glamorgan
Sri Lanka Emerging
Sri Lanka Emerging
Nondescripts Cricket Club
Nondescripts Cricket Club
Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire
Sri Lanka A
Sri Lanka A
Sri Lanka Under-19
Sri Lanka Under-19
Sri Lanka Cricket Board President XI
Sri Lanka Cricket Board President XI
Sri Lanka Under-23
Sri Lanka Under-23
Colombo
Colombo
Kandy
Kandy
Puttalam District
Puttalam District
Dambulla
Dambulla
Sri Lanka Cricket XI
Sri Lanka Cricket XI
Galle Marvels
Galle Marvels
Jaffna Kings
Jaffna Kings
SLC Blues
SLC Blues
SLC Reds
SLC Reds
Pokhara Avengers
Pokhara Avengers
SLC Yellow
SLC Yellow
Colombo Jaguars
Colombo Jaguars