Watch: Asitha Fernando gives flying kiss send-off after dismissing Ollie Pope with stunning delivery

Sri Lanka National Cricket Team fast bowler Asitha Fernando has been bowling sensationally well in the ongoing game against England National Cricket Team. The first Test of the three-match series between the teams is taking place at the Old Trafford in Manchester.

After the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team got all out for just 236 runs, they have kept things tight with the ball. Pacer Asitha Fernando has been the major reason behind that as he has been bowling sensationally well in the game and is keeping his team in the hunt.

Asitha Fernando drew the first blood for his team when he removed Ben Duckett for just 18 runs by trapping him in lbw.

However, after that, he made sure that he chips in with another wicket for his team as he went on to send England National Cricket Team skipper Ollie Pope back to the hut.

The delivery with which Asitha Fernando removed Ollie Pope had sheer brilliance in it. The England National Cricket Team skipper had no clue about the peach by the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team pacer as he took the long walk back to the pavilion without scoring big runs for his side.

Asitha Fernando bowled a skiddy back of a length delivery that nipped back in sharply. Ollie Pope tried to defend the ball but it went through his defences and went on to hit off stump. The England batter looked stunned as he seemed to have no answers to it.

Asitha Fernando castles Ollie Pope with a peach and gives flying kiss send-off

Here's the video:

As clean as it gets 🔥#SonySportsNetwork #ENGvSL #AsithaFernando pic.twitter.com/lFpndFsHrm

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) August 22, 2024

Ollie Pope didn't have a great outing with the bat in his first game as the captain of the England National Cricket Team.

The right-hander scored just 6 runs off 8 balls, and with his wicket, the team lost their second wicket quickly and were reduced to 40/2 inside 9 overs.

After the Pope got out, Vishwa Fernando made sure that he supported Asitha Fernando at the other end.

The pacer removed Dan Lawrence, who was playing as the opener for the first time. The all-rounder had a decent outing but didn't have the kind of innings he would've wanted.

Vishwa Fernando bowled a short of a length outside off that was shaping away from the batter. Dan Lawrence poked at the ball, and Dinesh Chandimal caught it behind the stumps as it took the edge. The keeper-batter took a low catch as England lost three quick wickets.

Dan Lawrence ended with the innings of 30 runs off 39 balls as he hit three fours in his innings. England were left reeling at 67/3 after he got out. The onus will now be on Joe Root and Harry Brook to bail the team out of trouble and go past Sri Lanka's first-innings score.

Both Joe Root and Harry Brook have looked solid at the crease. They would be keen to carry on their good form and help England get a big first innings lead.