U-19 Cricket: Charith to be crowned on Friday at the BMICH

The much expected grand finale of the 37th Bata-the Sunday Times Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2016 will come alive next Friday (11) evening at the BMICH in Colombo. 

The cynosure of all eyes that night will be on Sri Lanka Under-19 captain, Richmond College skipper and promising Sri Lanka star Charith Asalanka who will take the stage as the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year for the second consecutive time. 

He is set to receive the coveted award from the chief guest Roshan Mahanama who is no stranger to the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year having himself been a recipient. 

Mahanama, a member of the 1996 World Cup winning team who went on to become an ICC Match Referee, has won this award twice in 1983 and 1984 when he represented Nalanda College. 

As Mahanama, Charith becomes the fourth schoolboy cricketer to secure the main award in the 37-year history of the competition and the third to win the title back-to-back. 

Earlier in the 1996 World Cup winning history Arjuna Ranatunga of Ananda College was the first to win the title twice in 1980 and 1982. 

Thilan Samaraweera of Ananda College claimed a double win in 1994 and 1995. Charith, who won it last year wins the title again -- mainly because of his contribution to Sri Lanka Under-19 as its skipper and as a versatile allrounder. 

Charith, who represents Richmond College Galle is an allrounder who led his school team as well as the Sri Lanka Under-19s team – any schoolboy cricketer’s dream -- at the ICC Youth World Cup. 

He was initially picked as the Best Batsman while his deputy in the Sri Lanka Under-19 side, Sammu Ashan of Ananda College became the second best batsman. 

Last year Charith won the Best Allrounder award and emerged runner-up in the Best Bowler category. 

Sammu went on to pick the First Runner-up of the main award, the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2016. 

Asitha Fernando of St. Sebastian's College Katuneriya was picked the 2nd Runner-up in next to Charith and Sammu. 

All three were top performers for Sri Lanka at the ICC Youth World Cup as well as against other international sides. 

Rasith Upamal Dias of Dharmaloka Vidyalaya emerged the Emerging Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2016.