'After Mohammad Asif of Pakistan, I saw that quality in him' - Aaqib Javed heaps praise on Asitha Fernando

Sri Lanka's bowling coach, Aaqib Javed, recently compared young pacer Asitha Fernando to former Pakistan bowler Mohammad Asif, who was known for his exceptional skill in swinging the ball.

Javed's comparison came following Fernando's impressive performance on Day 2 of the first Test between the island nation and England at Old Trafford.

Despite conceding runs at nearly five per over, Fernando's figures of 3/68 included the prized wickets of captain Ollie Pope and experienced batter Joe Root.

His ability to swing the ball both ways with a skiddy pace made him stand out as the most threatening bowler in the Sri Lankan attack. Javed, speaking from his vast experience in identifying and nurturing talent, saw something special in Fernando's bowling. 

"I told him that after Mohammad Asif of Pakistan, I saw that quality in him. Not many people know about his ability. Without changing his wrist, he can swing the ball both ways," Aaqib said as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

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I actually picked Mohammad Asif: Aaqib Javed

In his brief but impactful Test career, Asif claimed 106 wickets in just 23 matches. Javed's eye for talent is not new. He recalled his experience with the former Pakistani pacer.

"I actually picked Mohammad Asif. He wasn't in the system. That's how I know Asif a lot. Sometimes you don't know what happens with your wrist. He (Asitha) has now got different confidence levels. People change their wrists, change the shine (which way it is showing) - but Asitha is so gifted, and they (the batters) even don't know which way it will go," he further added.

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Meanwhile, the visitors after winning the toss, elected to bat first and put 236 runs on the board in the first innings. The hosts after the second day of play were on 259/6 and took a lead of 23 runs.