4 January 2024 07:01 pm
By M. Shamil Amit
There is only one change from the team that participated in the Under-19 Asia Cup and coming into the side is Supun Waduge, who replaces his school teammate Dinuka Tennekoon.
16 teams are billed to be in the fray with 11 teams securing automatic qualifications according to their standings after the completion of the previous edition which includes defending champions India, Australia, Bangladesh, England, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Ireland, West Indies, Zimbabwe and hosts South Africa.
The remaining five teams Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Scotland and the USA were selected after the completion of the regional qualification tournaments.
The 16 teams are divided into four groups of four teams in each group with Group ‘A’ comprising India, Bangladesh, USA, Ireland. Group ‘B’ – South Africa, England, West Indies, Scotland. Group ‘C’ – Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Namibia. Group ‘D’ – Pakistan, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Nepal.
The Squad: Sineth Jayawardena (Captain – Royal), Malsha Tharupathi (Vice Captain – Richmond), Pulindu Perera (Dharmaraja), Vishen Halambage (St. Peter’s), Ravishan Nethsara (P. de S. Kularatne MV, Ambalangoda), Sarujan Shanmuganathan (St. Benedict’s), Dinura Kalupahana (Mahinda), Vihas Thewmika (Thurstan), Vishwa Lahiru (Sri Sumangala, Panadura), Garuka Sanketh (Lyceum, Wattala), Ruvishan Perera (Ananda), Rusanda Gamage (St. Peter’s), Hirun Kapurubandara (St. Joseph’s, Colombo), Supun Waduge (Trinity) and Duvindu Ranatunga (Mahanama, Colombo).
Reserves: Manula Kularatne (Trinity), Dinuka Tennekoon (Trinity), Hiran Jayasundara (St. Joseph’s).