Sri Lanka Cricket released the squad that will face Afghanistan and UAE in a limited overs tri-series in the UAE.
Shevon Daniel, brother of former National youth captain Jehan Daniel, will lead the young lions in the upcoming series taking place in Dubai. Daniel has been in the headlines for his heroics with the bat at the top during last year’s LPL and the first ever Youth Premier League which took place in Pakistan. The hard hitting left hander will take over the mantle from his schoolmate Dunith Wellalage who captained the U19’s in last years World Cup.
St. Joseph’s College has three representatives from the school. Along with Daniel, they will have two top order batters in Hiran Jayasundara and Hirun Kapurubandara. Incidentally both Jayasundara and Kapurubandara are wicketkeepers. Three players from the hill capital are also named in the squad. Mystery spinner Traveen Mathew from St Anthony’s College is joined by two Trinitians in left arm spinner Theeraka Ranathunga and left arm seamer Manula Kularathne. The only Royalists in the side is top order batter Sineth Jayawardane.
Thurstanite right arm off spinner Vihas Thewmika also gets the call up for his consistency throughout the several years playing at the highest level. Peterite opener batter and leg spinner Vishen Halambage is selected as an all-rounder for the side. The right arm leg spinning all rounder in the side is Malsha Tharupathi from Richmond College. Duvindu Ranatunge is another young prospect in the side. Hailing from Mahanama College, he will play a vital role in the side with the bat while contributing with his pace bowling.
Under-19 national team coach Jehan Mubarak said that the Abu Dhabi Tri- Series will be a good opportunity for the Sri Lankan players competing for the Under-19 World Cup next year. Speaking to the media during the last training session before the Abu Dhabi tour.
Speaking to the media about the tournament, Mubarak said: “This tournament as a whole is a good opportunity for Sri Lanka to show its skills. Most of these are those who will be playing in the Youth World Cup in Sri Lanka next year. Looking ahead, we now have a good squad. We are also preparing for day and night matches. So we did night training.
“The Afghan and Bangladeshi youth teams cannot be underestimated. Abu Dhabi pitches are favorable for them. If we want to win, we have to use our best match pattern in front of them,” he said.
This tournament is scheduled to start on 20 March. The team will depart today without Dinura Kalupahana, Malsha Tharupathi and Sineth Jayawardane who will join the team on the 19th. The three of them were allowed to play in their respective big matches this weekend from SLC.
SL U-19 Squad
Shevon Daniel (St. Joseph’s College), Hiran Jayasundara (St. Joseph’s College), Hirun Kapurubandara (St. Joseph’s College), Traveen Mathew (St. Anthony’s College, Kandy), Theeraka Ranatunga (Trinity College), Manula Kuralartne (Trinity College), Vihas Thewmika (Thurstan College), Vishen Halambage (St. Peter’s College), Vishawa Rajapaksha (St. Joseph Vaz College), Dinura Kalupahana (Mahinda College), Vishwa Lahiru (Sri Sumangala College, Panadura), Sineth Jayawardhana (Royal College), Malsha Tharupathi (Richmond College), Duvindu Ranatunga (Mahanama College), Garuka Sanketh (Lyceum International School, Wattala)