Asitha Fernando

{{Infobox cricketer

| name = Asitha Fernando

| image =

| country = Sri Lanka

| fullname = Asitha Madusanka Fernando

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|7|31|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Katuneriya, Sri Lanka

| height = 5 ft 6 in

| death_date =

| death_place =

| batting = Right-handed

| bowling = Right arm medium-fast

| role = Bowler

| international = true

| internationalspan = 2017–present

| testdebutdate = 3 January

| testdebutyear = 2021

| testdebutagainst = South Africa

| testcap = 153

| lasttestdate = 29 January

| lasttestyear = 2025

| lasttestagainst = Australia

| odidebutdate = 8 July

| odidebutyear = 2017

| odidebutagainst = Zimbabwe

| odicap = 181

| lastodidate = 14 February

| lastodiyear = 2025

| lastodiagainst = Australia

| T20Idebutdate = 1 September

| T20Idebutyear = 2022

| T20Idebutagainst = Bangladesh

| T20Icap = 97

| lastT20Idate = 13 October

| lastT20Iyear = 2024

| lastT20Iagainst = West Indies

| club1 = Chilaw Marians

| year1 = {{nowrap|2016–2020}}

| clubnumber1 =

| club2 = Nondescripts

| year2 = {{nowrap|2018–2019}}

| clubnumber2 =

| club3 = Galle Gladiators

| year3 = 2020

| clubnumber3 =

| club4 = Colombo

| year4 = {{nowrap|2022–present}}

| clubnumber4 =

| club5 = Jaffna Kings

| year5 = 2022–present

| clubnumber5 =

| club6 = Nottinghamshire

| year6 = 2023

| clubnumber6 =

| club7 = Glamorgan

| year7 = 2025

| clubnumber7 =

| columns = 4

| column1 = Test

| matches1 = 23

| runs1 = 58

| bat avg1 = 3.41

| 100s/50s1 = 0/0

| top score1 = 11

| deliveries1 = 3,565

| wickets1 = 76

| bowl avg1 = 27.81

| fivefor1 = 2

| tenfor1 = 1

| best bowling1 = 6/51

| catches/stumpings1 = 6/–

| column2 = ODI

| matches2 = 20

| runs2 = 3

| bat avg2 = 1.00

| 100s/50s2 = 0/0

| top score2 = 2

| deliveries2 = 720

| wickets2 = 22

| bowl avg2 = 31.22

| fivefor2 = 0

| tenfor2 = 0

| best bowling2 = 3/23

| catches/stumpings2 = 4/–

| column3 = T20I

| matches3 = 7

| runs3 = 11

| bat avg3 = –

| 100s/50s3 = 0/0

| top score3 = 10*

| deliveries3 = 120

| wickets3 = 4

| bowl avg3 = 52.00

| fivefor3 = 0

| tenfor3 = 0

| best bowling3 = 1/11

| catches/stumpings3 = 2/–

| column4 = FC

| matches4 = 90

| runs4 = 306

| bat avg4 = 4.85

| 100s/50s4 = 0/0

| top score4 = 30

| deliveries4 = 11,767

| wickets4 = 277

| bowl avg4 = 24.85

| fivefor4 = 10

| tenfor4 = 1

| best bowling4 = 7/139

| catches/stumpings4 = 21/–

| date = 26 June 2025

| source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/786925.html ESPNcricinfo

| module = {{Infobox medal templates | titlestyle = background-color: lightsteelblue; | expand=yes

| medals = {{MedalCountry| {{SRI}}}}

}}

Asitha Madusanka Fernando (born 31 July 1997) is a professional Sri Lankan cricketer currently plays all three formats of the game as the frontline bowler.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/786925.html |title=Asitha Fernando |accessdate=21 July 2016 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}} He also plays for the Jaffna Kings in the Lanka Premier League (LPL).

Under 19 and domestic career

Prior to his Test selection, he was part of Sri Lanka's squad for the 2016 Under-19 Cricket World Cup.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-under-19-world-cup-2016/content/story/954539.html |title=SL include Charana Nanayakkara in U-19 World Cup squad |accessdate=23 December 2015 |work=ESPNCricinfo}} He was the leading pace bowler in the World Cup for Sri Lanka who finished the tournament as semi-finalists courtesy of bowling performances of Fernando and Lahiru Kumara.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/822605.html |title=Asitha Fernando six seals tight win for Sri Lanka U-19s |accessdate=8 July 2017 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}

He made his Twenty20 debut for Chilaw Marians Cricket Club in the 2017–18 SLC Twenty20 Tournament on 24 February 2018.{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1137442.html |title=Group C, SLC Twenty-20 Tournament at Colombo, Feb 24 2018 |publisher=ESPN Cricinfo |accessdate=24 February 2018}}

In March 2018, he was named in Dumbulla's squad for the 2017–18 Super Four Provincial Tournament.{{cite news |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1041112/cricket-mixed-opinions-on-provincial-tournament |title=Cricket: Mixed opinions on Provincial tournament |publisher=Sunday Times (Sri Lanka) |date=26 March 2018 |accessdate=27 March 2018 |archive-date=27 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327035550/http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1041112/cricket-mixed-opinions-on-provincial-tournament |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=https://dailysports.lk/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-sl-super-provincial-tournament/ |title=All you need to know about the SL Super Provincial Tournament |publisher=Daily Sports |date=26 March 2018 |accessdate=27 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327213128/https://dailysports.lk/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-sl-super-provincial-tournament/ |archive-date=27 March 2018 |url-status=dead }} The following month, he was also named in Dambulla's squad for the 2018 Super Provincial One Day Tournament.{{cite news |url=http://www.thepapare.com/slc-super-provincial-50-tournament-squads-fixtures/ |title=SLC Super Provincial 50 over tournament squads and fixtures |work=The Papare |accessdate=27 April 2018}} He was the leading wicket-taker for Dambulla in the tournament, with six dismissals in three matches.{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/averages/batting_bowling_by_team.html?id=12332;team=6182;type=tournament |title=2018 Super Provincial One Day Tournament: Dambulla Batting and Bowling Averages |work=ESPN Cricinfo |accessdate=22 May 2018}}

In August 2018, he was named in Colombo's squad the 2018 SLC T20 League.{{cite news |url=http://www.thepapare.com/slc-t20-league-2018-squads-finalized/ |title=SLC T20 League 2018 squads finalized |work=The Papare |accessdate=16 August 2018}} In March 2019, he was named in Colombo's squad for the 2019 Super Provincial One Day Tournament.{{cite web|url=http://www.thepapare.com/squads-fixtures-announced-for-slc-provincial-50-overs-tournament-2019/ |title=Squads, Fixtures announced for SLC Provincial 50 Overs Tournament |work=The Papare |accessdate=19 March 2019}}

In January 2020, in the 2019–20 SLC Twenty20 Tournament, he took six wickets for eight runs for Chilaw Marians Cricket Club.{{cite web|url=http://www.thepapare.com/slc-invitation-t20-tournament-201920-day-3-roundup/ |title=Ashen, Asitha and Lasanda light up SLC Invitational T20 |work=The Papare |accessdate=8 January 2020}} In October 2020, he was drafted by the Galle Gladiators for the inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/30148161/lanka-premier-league-2020-chris-gayle-andre-russell-shahid-afridi-big-names-taken-lpl-draft |title=Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and Shahid Afridi among big names taken at LPL draft |work=ESPN Cricinfo |accessdate=22 October 2020}} In August 2021, he was named in the SLC Reds team for the 2021 SLC Invitational T20 League tournament.{{cite web|url=https://www.thepapare.com/slc-invitational-t20-league-2021-squads-schedule/ |title=Sri Lanka Cricket announce Invitational T20 squads and schedule |work=The Papare |access-date=9 August 2021}}

In December 2024, Fernando agreed a contract to play for Glamorgan County Cricket Club in their first seven matches of the 2025 County Championship season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/c33dpnkp8mmo|title=Glamorgan sign Sri Lanka bowler Fernando|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=20 December 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://glamorgancricket.com/news/i-want-to-be-a-glamorgan-regular-asa-tribe-reflects-on-his-debut-season|title=Sri Lankan International Asitha Fernando signs for Glamorgan Cricket|publisher=Glamorgan County Cricket Club|accessdate=20 December 2024}}

International career

In July 2016 he was named in Sri Lanka's Test squad for their series against Australia, but he did not play.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-australia-2016/content/story/1037223.html |title=Siriwardana left out of Sri Lanka squad for first Test |accessdate=21 July 2016 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}

Fernando was included in Sri Lanka's One Day International (ODI) squad for the series against Zimbabwe. He made his ODI debut on 8 July 2017 at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in the fourth ODI against Zimbabwe, but did not able to take a wicket.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1104481.html |title=Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka, 4th ODI: Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe at Hambantota, Jul 8, 2017 |accessdate=8 July 2017 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}} He made his international debut for the Sri Lanka cricket team in July 2017.

In February 2018, he was named in Sri Lanka's Twenty20 International (T20I) squad for their series against Bangladesh, but he did not play.{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1135802.html |title=Sri Lanka pick Asitha for T20 series, Jeevan Mendis returns | work=ESPN Cricinfo| date=7 February 2018| accessdate=7 February 2018}} In May 2018, he was named in Sri Lanka's Test squad for their series against the West Indies.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1146170.html |title=Udawatte, Rajitha, Vandersay picked for West Indies Tests |publisher=ESPN Cricinfo |accessdate=11 May 2018}}

In December 2018, he was named in Sri Lanka team for the 2018 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup.{{cite web |url=http://www.srilankacricket.lk/news/sri-lanka-squad-for-the-acc-emerging-teams-cup-2018 |title=Sri Lanka Squad for the ACC Emerging Teams Cup 2018 |work=Sri Lanka Cricket |accessdate=3 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203202707/http://www.srilankacricket.lk/news/sri-lanka-squad-for-the-acc-emerging-teams-cup-2018 |archive-date=3 December 2018 |url-status=dead }} In August 2019, he was named in a twenty-two man squad for Sri Lanka's Test series against New Zealand.{{cite web|url=http://www.thepapare.com/new-zealand-tour-sri-lanka-2019-fixtures-revised/ |title=New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka 2019 – fixtures revised |work=The Papare |accessdate=5 August 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1196906.html |title=Chandimal, Dananjaya, Dilruwan back in SL Test squad |accessdate=7 August 2019 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}} However, he was not named in the final fifteen-man squad for the first Test.{{cite web|url=http://www.thepapare.com/sri-lanka-squad-for-first-test-announced/ |title=Sri Lanka squad for first Test announced |work=The Papare |accessdate=9 August 2019}} In November 2019, he was named in Sri Lanka's squad for the 2019 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Bangladesh.{{cite web|url=http://www.thepapare.com/sri-lanka-squad-for-emerging-teams-asia-cup-2019-announced/ |title=Sri Lanka squad for Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2019 announced |work=The Papare |accessdate=12 November 2019}} Later the same month, he was named in Sri Lanka's squad for the cricket tournament at the 2019 South Asian Games.{{cite web|url=http://www.thepapare.com/south-asian-games-2019-sri-lanka-men-and-women-squads/ |title=SLC Men's and Women’s squads for SAG 2019 announced |work=The Papare |accessdate=30 November 2019}} The Sri Lanka team won the silver medal, after they lost to Bangladesh by seven wickets in the final.{{cite web|url=https://bdnews24.com/cricket/2019/12/09/south-asian-games-bangladesh-secure-gold-in-mens-cricket |title=South Asian Games: Bangladesh secure gold in men's cricket |work=BD News24 |accessdate=9 December 2019}}

In December 2019, he was added to Sri Lanka's Test squad for their tour to Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan in 2019–20. He replaced Suranga Lakmal, who was ruled out of the tour due to dengue fever.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/28250682/suranga-lakmal-sri-lanka-tour-pakistan-dengue |title=Suranga Lakmal out of Sri Lanka's tour of Pakistan with dengue |work=ESPN Cricinfo |accessdate=8 December 2019}} In March 2020, he was added to Sri Lanka's Twenty20 International (T20I) squad for the series against the West Indies, replacing Nuwan Pradeep.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/28821140/nuwan-pradeep-dhananjaya-de-silva-west-indies-t20is |title=Nuwan Pradeep, Dhananjaya de Silva out of West Indies T20Is |work=ESPN Cricinfo |accessdate=2 March 2020}}

In December 2020, Fernando was named in Sri Lanka's Test squad for their series against South Africa.{{cite web|url=https://www.thepapare.com/sri-lanka-tour-of-south-africa-2020-2021-squad-schedule/ |title=Sri Lanka to take 22 players to South Africa |work=The Papare |accessdate=14 December 2020}} He made his Test debut for Sri Lanka, against South Africa, on 3 January 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1237357.html |title=2nd Test, Johannesburg, Jan 3 - Jan 7 2021, Sri Lanka tour of South Africa |work=ESPN Cricinfo |accessdate=3 January 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1964237 |title=Fernando and Bhanuka – All you need to know about Sri Lanka’s latest Test debutants |work=International Cricket Council |accessdate=3 January 2021}} In February 2021, Fernando was named in Sri Lanka's T20I squad for their series against the West Indies.{{cite web|url=https://www.bdcrictime.com/shanaka-named-as-sri-lankan-t20i-captain-for-west-indies-tour/ |title=Shanaka named as Sri Lankan T20I captain for West Indies tour |work=BD Crictime |access-date=21 February 2021}} In July 2021, he was named in Sri Lanka's squad for their series against India.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sl-vs-ind-2021-bhanuka-rajapaksa-in-squad-for-india-odis-t20is-lahiru-kumara-kasun-rajitha-return-from-injuries-1269981 |title=Bhanuka Rajapaksa picked for India ODIs, T20Is; Kumara, Rajitha return from injuries |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=16 July 2021}}

In May 2022, in the second match of the series against Bangladesh, Fernando took his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket in second innings, with 6/51. He also took four wickets in first innings. In that process he took 10 for 141 from the match. This is his first 10-wicket haul.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sri-lanka-in-bangladesh-2022-1308485/bangladesh-vs-sri-lanka-2nd-test-1308489/match-report-5 |title=Asitha, Mathews, Chandimal star in Sri Lanka's series win |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=27 May 2022}} In August 2022, he was named in Sri Lanka's T20I squad for the 2022 Asia Cup.{{cite web|url=https://srilankacricket.lk/2022/08/sri-lanka-squad-for-asia-cup-2022/ |title=Sri Lanka squad for Asia Cup 2022 |work=Sri Lanka Cricket |access-date=20 August 2022}} He made his T20I debut on 1 September 2022, against Bangladesh.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1327273.html |title=5th Match, Group B (N), Dubai (DSC), September 01, 2022, Asia Cup |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=1 September 2022}}

In May 2024, he was named as a reserve player in Sri Lanka’s squad for the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup tournament.{{Cite web |title=Sri Lanka’s Squad for ICC Men’s T20I World Cup 2024 |url=https://www.scorewaves.com/news-details/sri-lanka-squad-for-icc-t20-world-cup |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=ScoreWaves |language=en}}

On August 30, 2024, second test match against England at Lords Asitha took his second five wicket haul (5/102) . He became only the second Sri Lankan bowler after Rumesh Ratnayake to have his name in the Lord’s Honours Board. Asitha describe this feat as dream come true for him.{{Cite web |last=Clementine |first=Rex |date=2024-09-04 |title=Asitha thrilled to emulate Rumesh |url=https://www.thepapare.com/asitha-thrilled-to-emulate-rumesh/ |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=ThePapare |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Gus Atkinson's latest Lord's feat wraps up series for England |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sri-lanka-in-england-2024-1385672/england-vs-sri-lanka-2nd-test-1385695/match-report |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} Due to his performance he reached 8th place in ICC test bowling rankings.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-04 |title=ICC player rankings : Asitha Fernando in Top 10 for the first time |url=https://www.newswire.lk/2024/09/04/icc-player-rankings-asitha-fernando-in-top-10-for-the-first-time/ |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=Newswire |language=en-US}}

Asitha became highest wicket taker in the series taking 17 wickets in 3 matches with average of 24.64 including one five wicket haul and one four wicket haul.{{Cite web |title=Today's Cricket Match {{!}} Cricket Update {{!}} Cricket News |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/series/bowling-most-wickets-career/sri-lanka-in-england-test-series-2024-15573 |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}

On 18 June, 2025, first test match against Bangladesh Asitha took four wicket haul. His first four wicket haul on home soil.{{Cite web |title=SL vs BAN Cricket Scorecard, 1st Test at Galle, June 17 - 21, 2025 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/bangladesh-in-sri-lanka-2025-1485499/sri-lanka-vs-bangladesh-1st-test-1485503/full-scorecard |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250622191021/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/bangladesh-in-sri-lanka-2025-1485499/sri-lanka-vs-bangladesh-1st-test-1485503/full-scorecard |archive-date=2025-06-22 |access-date=2025-06-25 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}