U-21 cricketers leave for B'desh

Chris Dhambarage

The schedule:

January 31: Bangladesh v Nepal at Rajshahi

February 1: Sri Lanka v Nepal at Rajshahi

February 1: Maldives v Pakistan at Mirpur

February 2: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka at Rajshahi

February 3: Nepal v Pakistan at Mirpur

February 3: Bangladesh v Maldives at Mirpur

February 4: Bangladesh v Maldives at Mirpur

February 4: Sri Lanka v Pakistan at Mirpur

February 5: Sri Lanka v Maldives at Mirpur

February 5: Bangladesh v Pakistan at Mirpur

February 6: Maldives v Nepal at Mirpur

February 7: 3rd and 4th position match at Mirpur

February 7: Final at Mirpur

The 14-member Sri Lanka Under-21 team captained by Ashan Priyanjana left for Bangladesh yesterday to participate in the 11th South Asian Games Twenty20 cricket tournament which begins on Sunday in Dhaka.

This is the first time that cricket has been introduced to the Games and the teams competing are Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Maldives and Sri Lanka. However, India and Afghanistan have pulled out from the tournament.

The hosts Bangladesh will take on Nepal in the curtain raiser match of the tournament on Sunday at the Shahid Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi. Sri Lanka will launch their campaign for the gold medal with a match against Nepal on February 1 at the same venue.

The five teams will play each other on a league basis and the two top teams will clash in the final which is scheduled for February 7 at the Sher-e-Bangla National National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

The Sri Lanka team: Ashan Prianjana (Captain), Dinesh Chandimal (vice captain), Dilshan Munaweera, Lahiru Thirimanna, Nizam Mazahir, Anjelo Perera, Kasal Perera, Sachith Pathirana, Thisara Perera, Ishan Jayarathna, Hasitha Ilongakoon, Imesh Udayanga, Vimanga Perera and Navin Kavikara. Stand bye: Chaturanga de Silva.