Lankan Junior cricketers face uphill Task
The Sri Lanka under 19 team will face a tough task when they confront
Pakistan under 19 team in the opening match of the Tri Series limited
overs tournament which begins at the Colts CC ground in Havelock Park
today.
This tournament has been organized by Sri Lanka Cricket as a
preparation for the up coming International Cricket Council Youth World
Cup which will be held in Malaysia next month.
Sri Lanka's performances at this level has been rather mediocre in
the recent past and this will be a great opportunity for them to bounce
back ahead of an important event. Even then they will be up against two
top teams with England as the former under 19 World champions and with
Pakistan in line to complete a hattrick of victories having emerged
champions in 2004 and 2006 respectively.
In addition Sri Lanka have already lost both their warm up matches
against Pakistan and England and will need to produce an improved
performance if they are to make an impact in this competition. Sri Lanka
of course did not field their full side during these warm up matches but
yet the pressure will be mounting on them.
The teams:
Sri Lanka under 19 (from): Ashan Priyanjana (Captain), Dinesh
Chandimal (Vice Captain), Kushal Janith Perera, Dilshan Munaweera,
Nisham Mazahir, Roshane Silva, Angelo Perera, Umesh Karunarathna,
Sachith Pathirana, Navin Kavikara, Imesh Udayanga, Denuwan Fernando,
Thisara Perera, Chathura Peiris and Ishan Jayaratne.
Pakistan under 19 (from): Imad Wasim (Captain), Shan Masood
(Vice Captain), Umair Mir (W/K), Ali Asad, Ahmed Shehzad, Umer Amin,
Usman Salahuddin, Shahzaib Ahmed, Umer Akmal, Mohammad Rameez, Mohammad
Amir, Adil Raza, Junaid Khan, Azhar Attari and Ahsan Mirza.
England under 19 (from): Alexander Wakely (captain), Ben Brown,
Thomas Westley, Liam Dawson, Daniel Redfern, Steven Finn, Christopher
Woakes, Billy Godleman, James Lee, James Harris, James Goodman, Stuart
Meaker, Sam Northeast, James Taylor and Gregory Wood.
The schedule:
Jan. 23: Sri Lanka v Pakistan at Colts CC ground
Jan. 24: England v Pakistan at Colts CC ground
Jan. 25: Sri Lanka v England at Colts CC ground
Jan. 27: Sri Lanka v Pakistan at SSC ground
Jan. 28: Sri Lanka v England at SSC ground
Jan. 30: England v Pakistan at SSC ground
Feb. 1: Final at NCC ground |