How to send a number and a string to controller without posting a form

I have a controller method that I only need to send a string and an int to when clicking on a link in the view. But I cant seem to send it without using a form. This is the normal way I use without a form:

<a asp-action="Search" asp-route-id="@item.Id">Sort list</a>

I would like to also send a string to this method with the value "Date". This would make me able to sort the item in the method.

Any ideas much apprechiated!