U-19 Cricket: Sri Lanka and Pakistan prepare for Youth World Cup

Hashan Thilakaratne, the head coach of the Sri Lanka Under-19 coaching unit, believes that the series against Pakistan youth would be beneficial for the team to move forward as they are preparing for the ICC Under-19 World Cup in South Africa in 2020. 

“Our preparation for the Pakistan series has been very good. I would like to thank Sri Lanka Cricket for reviving this tour despite the security concerns in the country. The players are keen to get back on to the field as we have some important tour ahead of us,” Thilakaratne said during the Pre-Series press conference on Friday. 

The selectors have included a number of players from the outstation into the squad, according to the Under-19 national team selector Brendon Kuruppu. 

"This time we have a lot of players from outstation. Even our captain Nipun Dananjeya is from St. Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa we want to give our youngsters the opportunity to perform, so it would be beneficial for their careers as they move on to the international level,” Kuruppu emphasised. 

On the other hand, the Pakistan captain Rohail Nazir was confident about his team’s chances in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. 

"I am confident about my team. We had a couple of training sessions in Pakistan. That helped us a lot. Looking for an intriguing series against Sri Lanka” he said. 

Thillakaratne also said that he is expecting a closely fought series against Pakistan. 

The five youth ODI series commences on May 26 at Hambantota. 

Squad for 1st, 2nd and 3rd games: Nipun Dananjaya (Captain), Kamil Mishara (VC), Navod Paranavitana, Mohomed Shamaz, Sonal Dinusha, Avishka Tharindu, Chamidu Wijesinghe, Dilum S. Tillakaratne, Rohan Sanjaya, Ashen Daniel, Dilshan Madushanka, Pawan Ratnayake, Ravindu Rashantha, Naveen Fernando, Raveen de Silva. Sandun Mendis 

Squad for 4th and 5th games: Kamil Mishara (Captain), Nipun Dananjaya, Abhishek Kahaduwaarachchi, Kavindu Wickramasinghe, Avishka Tharindu, Dunith Wellalage, Kavindu Nadeeshan, Chamindu Wijesinghe, Rohan Sanjaya, Pawan Rathnayake, Ravindu Rashantha, Naveen Fernando, Raveen de Silva, Sandun Mendis, Dilshan Madushanka