With the much anticipated ICC Youth World Cup approaching, the under 19 cricketers from the giants of Asian cricket circuit will vie for Asian youth cricket glory with the commencement of Asian Cricket Council Under-19s Asia Cup 2013/14 in UAE from 28th December 2013.
This tournament will be the ideal warm-up for the teams who will be participating in the ICC Youth World Cup 2014 as both these major tournaments will be played in United Arab Emirates.
Speaking to ThePapare.com Captain of the Sri Lanka U19 team Kusal Mendis said ‘We will be leaving for the Asia Cup tournament today in Dubai. There will be eight teams challenging for the title and we will facing up Afghanistan in our first fixture. We have prepared very well for this tournament and I believe that we are at the right standard to compete. We have to face good teams like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, but I have belief in my team and we can progress deep into the tournament.’ he further added.
Every Cricket fan keeps a close eye on this level of cricket as this is the foundation level of future superstars. Most of the current international cricketing stars such as Virat Kohli, Angelo Mathews, Shakib Al Hasan, Ahmed Shehzad are products of this Under 19 level and it is the perfect opportunity for these young players to make a name of themselves for the future.
This tournament will be 2nd edition of Asian Cricket Council Under-19s Asia Cup. Eight teams will be competing in 2 groups with a total number of 15 games including the semi-finals and finals. India, Pakistan, Nepal and host UAE will battle it out in the Group A while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Malaysia will go head to head in Group B. Top two teams will be qualify for the semi finals and the grand final will be played on 4th January at the world’s leading ODI venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
India and Pakistan will be the favorites to win the trophy as they shared the previous ACC Under-19s Asia Cup 2012 after a thrilling final ended in a tie at Kinrara Academy Oval, Kuala Lumpur. The current Pakistan U19 team will be in red hot form as they clinched Tri-Nation Under-19s Tournament in UAE less than a week ago beating the strong England U19 team by 97 runs in the final.
The Indian team will be led by their dynamic and experienced left hand batsman Vijay Zol while Rajasthan Royals young sensation Sanju Samson will be his deputy. Pakistan will be led by their 18 year old run machine Sami Aslam. Sri Lanka will be led by wicket keeper batsman Kusal Mendis and Shadman Islam will captain the Bangladesh team. Afghanistan, Malaysia, Nepal and the UAE will have to work hard for a place in the semi finals.
Match Schedule :
28 Dec Sat
India v UAE at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Pakistan v Nepal at ICC GCA 1
Bangladesh v Malaysia at Abu Dhabi Oval 1
Sri Lanka v Afghanistan at Abu Dhabi Oval 2
29 Dec Sun
India v Nepal at ICC GCA 1
Pakistan v UAE at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Bangladesh v Afghanistan at Abu Dhabi Oval 1
Sri Lanka v Malaysia at Abu Dhabi Oval 2
31 Dec Tue
India v Pakistan at Dubai International Stadium
Nepal v UAE at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Bangladesh v Sri Lanka at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Afghanistan v Malaysia at Abu Dhabi Oval 1
2 Jan Thu
Semi Final 1: 1A v 2B at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Semi Final2: 1B v 2A at ICC GCA 1
4 Jan Sat
Final: Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Kusal to lead a talented squad
Wicket keeper and opening batsman Kusal Mendis who hails from Prince of Wales Moratuwa will lead a strong and talented squad of the finest under 19 players from around the island. Josephian top order batsman Sadeera Samarawickrama will be the vice captain of the team. Both captain and vice captain will be responsible for a good show in UAE with the bat as they are the most accomplished and experienced batsmen in the squad. Hashan Dumindu(Gurukula) , Minod Bhanuka, (Malideva) Kavindu Kulasekara(Thurstan), Priyamal Perera (St Josephs) and Thilaksha Sumanasiri(S Thomas) are the other specialist batsmen of the team.
The bowling attack will be led by tall and lanky left arm seamer Binura Fernando( D S Senanayake). Anuk Fernando(St Sebastians) is another left arm medium fast bowler and he is the only player from the current squad to have represented Sri Lanka U19s in the 2012 Youth World Cup. Big match hero for Royal College, Chamika Karunaratne (Royal) is the 3rd seaming option for Sri Lanka while Roshan Anuruddha (Gurukula )or Sahan Arachchige (Ananda)will play as a fast bowling all-rounder. Ramesh Mendis (Dharmashoka) and A.K Tyron(Richmond) are two off spinners to look out for as spinners will play a major role to the success of the Sri Lanka team. Lakshan Jayasinghe (Trinity) is the slow left arm option for Sri Lanka during this U19s Asia Cup 2013/14.
Sri Lanka will have to be in the top of their game to have a successful campaign and Sri Lanka will start their tournament on the 28th against Afghanistan.
Sri Lanka Squad :
1. Kusal Mendis (Capt) – wicket-keeper – batsman
2. Sadeera Samarawickrama (V Capt) – opening batsman
3. Hashan Dumindu – opening batsman
4. Kavindu Kulasekara – right-hand bat
5. Sahan Arachchige – right-arm slow medium
6. Priyamal Perera – all-rounder
7. Thilaksha Sumanasiri – right-hand bat
8. Minod Banuka – batsman
9. Roshan Anuruddha – right-arm slow medium
10. Binura Fernando – left arm fast medium
11. Anuk Fernando – left arm fast medium
12. Chamika Karunaratne – right arm fast medium
13. Ramesh Mendis – right-arm off break
14. Lakshan Jayasinghe – left arm slow orthodox
15. A.K Tyron – right arm off-break
