Zahira field a talented outfit

Thushan JAYASURIYA

Zahira College Colombo,is rising up with their recent victories against the top giants in the under 19 inter school cricket arena with a balanced line up of talented players. This year, they were able to win four out of five matches against Pannipitiya Dharmapala, Gurukula , Revatha M.V. and Sri Sumangala Panadura, losing one match against Dharmasoka College.

Sixth year coloursman and all rounder, Imraaz Rafi is the star player of the team. He has made a total of 1425 runs last season ,having the record for the highest number of runs by an under 19 player. He has made his school proud by winning the runners-up of best all rounder title. Not only that, from last year he represents the Sri Lanka under 19 national team. Last Season this left hander did his best individual performance of 142 runs against St. Anthony's College, Kandy.

This season he collected 725 with a best individual score of 113 runs against Sri Sumangala Vidyalaya, Panadura. Apart from that,he took 42 wickets with 26 catches last season with a best performance of seven wickets for 47 runs this season with two five wicket hauls against Maris Stella(five for 35) and Nalanda (five for 45).

Right hander batsman and wicket keeper Mohamed Dilshad Hilmy who is another senior player captains the under 19 squad of Zahira College. Last season he did a great deal in his batting scoring 650 runs in 14 matches , having a best individual score of 74 runs against St.John's Nugegoda.

This season has shown a fair amount of promise with 350 runs in 101 matches,with his best performance of 64 runs against Nalanda.In bowling he has taken 22 catches with eight stumps in 14 matches. This year he was able to pick 15 catches with five wickets in 10 matches.

Senior Player and all rounder Waseem Sinnan is the Vice Captain of the side. He has already made his intentions clear having complied over 350 runs in last season. His best performance was 43 runs( not out) against Sri Sumangala Vidyalaya,Panadura. This season he made a total of 230 runs in 10 matches with his best individual score of 31 runs(not out) against Revatha Maha Vidyalaya, Balapitiya.In bowling , he captured two five wicket hauls against Kingswood (five for 43 in the first innings) and Thurstan (five for 31).This year he clinched a total of 21 wickets in 10 matches.

All rounder Bashith Marikar ,is another talented player in the squad having scored a fighting century against Kalutara Vidyalaya (107 runs).He has total of 520 runs in 10 matches this season. He did a great deal in his batting scoring 548 runs in 14 matches with a higher individual score of 68 runs against St.Benedict's College, Kotahena.

In bowling , he has claimed 39 runs in 14 matches with his best performance against St.John's College Nugegoda.(four for 7) last season. This season he was only able to claim 21 wickets with a best performance against St.Benedict's Kotahena(four for 17).

Lakshan Edirisinghe, who has excelled in both batting and bowling has a special place in the team having scored over 500 runs.

He has delivered some crucial blows including two four wicket hauls against Maris Stella, Negombo (four for 26) and St.John's College, Nugegoda last season. This year ,he has already topped 300 run mark for the season including one century against Nalanda College. In bowling he has able to bag 11 wickets out of the matches played so far this season.

Third year coloursman Irshad Umar is another hero in the under 19 squad. This all rounder made his best in batting with 361 runs in 14 matches last season.

This season he knocked 285 runs in 10 matches. He is a vital link in their bowling department having captured 23 runs in 10 matches with a best performance of five wickets for 38 runs against Kalutara Vidyalaya this season.

The coach of the team Mahesh Edirisinghe "This year we have four outright wins out of five matches played so far.Our team was able to show their best in the matches against Dhrmapala, Gurukula, Revatha M.V. and Sri Sumangala Colleges.

After my appointment, Zahira team was able to step up in the under 19 school cricket arena. The team was awarded an eight day trip to Malaysia because of their best performance. We are trying to be the best school cricket team in the country .And we are getting a good support from the old boys. We hope to win more and more in the coming fixtures." Says confidently

The team gets supported by Principal Mohamed Jiffrey, Prefect-of-Games M.Z.Farook , Master-In-Charge Palitha Kulathunga , Coach Mahesh Weerasinghe ,Assistant coach M.R.D.Hameen, Fielding coach Sampath Epasinghe , Old Boys Association , Tony Amit Chairman of the sports council of Zahira College,M.S.Mazeer Deputy Chairman of the sports council,Milhan Lafir Chairman of the Cricket Committee,M.R.A.Razzak secretary for the Cricket Committee.

The rest of the players in the under 19 first XI squad are Pradeep Ananda , Mohomed Azlan , Ahmed Nabeel , Amitha Kaushalya , Nassik Nazeer , Kalhara Wakwella , Mohamed Gazzaly ,Mohamed Shaheen , Irshad Umar.