Lankan Youth optimistic of a successful run
Sri Lankan youth side is a confident unit - File Photo
Sri Lanka Under-19s led by Nipun Dananjaya will look to exploit home advantage to clinch their maiden title at the Under-19 Asia Cup to be played in Sri Lanka starting this Thursday (5).
Sri Lanka were runners-up at the previous edition played in Bangladesh after India recorded a comprehensive 144-run win in the finals. However, Head Coach Hashan Tillakeratne believes they are confident of winning the eight team tournament this time round.
“Our preparations have been very good,” said the former Test skipper turned coach.
“I am confident of winning the tournament and the players are looking forward to the challenge.”
Sri Lanka has reached the finals four times since the inception of this tournament as far back 1989, but never was able to get their hands on the cup that matters. From its inception to 2014 only four editions had been conducted but since 2016, the tournament has been held every year.
“After the provincial tournament, we picked a squad of 28 players and trained them before trimming it down to 15. It was a difficult task to pick the final squad,” he explained.
Sri Lanka will depend hugely on two Royalists Kamil Mishara and Ahan Wickremasingha who have been in terrific form with the bat this season. Mishara hit two centuries ( 152 and 120) and a half century (97) in the inter-provincial tournament while Ahan–a player with a lot of promise scored a magnificent unbeaten century (127) and two half centuries in the same tournament.
“Kamil has been the top performer. He’s been consistent during the Pakistan tour as well. Ahan is very strong at the crease. He’s got a good future. He plays spin and fast bowling equally well. I hope the duo will carry forward the good form in to the Asia cup,” said the coach lavishing praise on the young duo.
India Afghanistan, Pakistan and Kuwait have been drawn into group ‘A’ while Sri Lanka , Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates and Nepal are in group ‘B’.
The matches will be played at Colombo Cricket Club grounds, P Sara Oval, R. Premadasa International Stadium, De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa, Nondescripts Cricket Club grounds and the Marians Cricket grounds, Katunayake. The final will be played on September 14 at the R. Premadasa International Stadium.
Sri Lanka Under-19 Squad: Nipun Dananjaya (Captain), Navod Paranavithana, Kamil Mishara (VC/wk), Ahan Wickramasinghe, Avishka Tharindu, Rashantha de Silva, Abhishek Kahaduwaaracchi, Rohan Sanjaya, Ashen Daniel, Sandun Mendis, Kavindu Nadeeshan, Yasiru Rodrigo, Dilshan Madushanka, Chamindu Wijesinghe, Amshi de Silva,
Standby Players: Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Sonal Dinusha, Dilum Sudheera Thilakaratne, Chihan Kalindu
Match Schedule
September 5: Afghanistan vs Pakistan at P. Sara Oval, Colombo, India vs Kuwait at CCC, Colombo
September 6: Bangladesh vs UAE at MCG Katunayake, Sri Lanka vs Nepal at RPICS Colombo
September 7: India vs Pakistan at De Soysa stadium Moratuwa, Afghanistan vs Kuwait at RPICS Colombo
September 8: Bangladesh vs Nepal at P. Sara Oval Colombo, Sri Lanka vs UAE at MCG Katunayake
September 9: India vs Afghanistan at CCC Colombo, Pakistan vs Kuwait at De Soysa stadium Moratuwa
September 10: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh at De Soysa stadium Moratuwa, UAE vs Nepal MCG Katunayake
September 12: Semi-final 1 – A1 vs B2 at P. Sara Oval, Colombo; Semi-final 2 – A2 vs B1 at Moratuwa
September 14: Final at RPICS, Colombo