Asitha Fernando during PAK vs SL 1st Test 2026 | PC- AFP
Sri Lanka fast bowler Asitha Fernando chipped in with three Pakistani wickets on Days 1 and 2 of the first Test in Rawalpindi. The speedster dismissed Tayyab Arif and Salman Agha on the opening day before getting rid of a well-set Saud Shakeel on Day 2.
With his latest spell in the high-scoring Pakistan innings, the 29-year-old also complete 100 wickets in his Test career. Fernando has now surpassed former Sri Lanka pacer Lasith Malinga for a huge national Test record.
Asitha Fernando scripts his own legacy for Sri Lanka with huge record
In a nation filled with some of the best spinners in the world, Asitha Fernando just scripted his legacy as a fast bowler for Sri Lanka.
The fast bowler completed 100 Test wickets in his career with his latest three-fer against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, reaching the landmark figure in just his 29th match. Notably, he has now become the quickest Sri Lanka fast bowler to complete 100 Test wickets, in terms of number of matches.
Asitha broke the previous record set by legendary former paceman Lasith Malinga, who reached his 100 Test scalps in 30 matches.
Overall, the 29-year-old now stands as the fourth joint-fastest Sri Lanka bowler to reach the milestone, falling just below spin great Muttiah Muralitharan by a match.
Here is a look at Sri Lanka bowlers who took the least number of matches to complete 100 Test wickets.
Fastest to 100 Wickets for Sri Lanka in Tests (By Matches):
- 17 - Prabath Jayasuriya
- 25 - Dilruwan Perera
- 27 - Muthiah Muralidaran
- 29 - Rangana Herath, Asitha Fernando*
- 30 - Lasith Malinga
Journey to 100 Test wickets for Asitha Fernando
Asitha Fernando made his Test debut way back in January 2021 during Sri Lanka’s away Test series against South Africa. While Sri Lanka lost the match, the bowler himself picked up two wickets to commence his career.
The year 2024 was the most successful one for his Test career as he scalped 37 wickets in just nine matches at an impressive bowling average of 24.48. He has so far nabbed 20 wickets this year to currently sit on a pile of 100 scalps in 48 innings spanning 29 Tests at an average of 27.01 and with an economy of 3.48.
