Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’ against Afghanistan ‘A’

• 14-member squad named for first two unofficial ODIs

Sahan Arachchige

Sri Lanka white ball batting all-rounder Sahan Arachchige will lead Sri Lanka ‘A’ in the first two unofficial ODIs against Afghanistan ‘A’ in the five-match series starting at Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, Hambantota on 28 April.

Sri Lanka selectors have named a 14-man squad only for the first two matches as there will be changes made with some of the players likely to be included for the tri-series of T20 practice matches the national squad is due to play from 2 May ahead of selection for the T20 World Cup in June.

“There is a T20 World Cup coming and I think there are 2-3 places to be filled. This series is a mixture of both having the T20 World Cup round the corner and these young players getting a chance for the first time in the ‘A’ team,” said Sri Lanka ‘A’ Head Coach Avishka Gunawardene.

“From the senior players the selectors must be expecting them to push for World Cup selections and for the youngsters to perform and put pressure on the guys who are up there. Especially someone like Nishan Madushka to come into the white ball set up. He is currently playing only Test cricket and we are trying to see whether he can make it to the white ball as well. He is more of a Pathum Nissanka type of player. In the last ‘A’ team tour he got a good hundred against a strong South African ‘A’ side. That is the idea behind picking him for the white ball games so that we have another option in the national side.”

Apart from Madushka, Gunawardene said that players like Ahan Wickramasinghe and Pawan Ratnayake have been very impressive in the National Super League 4-day tournament which is currently on. “They have been scoring tons of runs and they have earned their places in the ‘A’ side. Some of the senior players who played in the last ‘A’ series couldn’t find a place this time because these guys have basically outperformed them which is nice to see because there is more competition and the bench gets bigger. I always say that ‘A’ team is not only about results but finding the next crop of players giving them opportunities to see how they perform to international standards.”

Commenting on the opposition Gunawardene said, “From what I hear Afghanistan ‘A’ are coming with about 7-8 players who have represented their national team in all three formats. It is good for our guys to play against such an experienced side. Afghanistan have made their mark with the white ball in world cricket. It will be a good series.” Fast bowler Milan Ratnayake has been affected with chicken pox and a replacement for him has to be made in the squad of 14. – (ST)

SRI LANKA ‘A’ SQUAD FOR 1st and 2nd unofficial ODIs

Sahan Arachchige (Captain), Lahiru Udara, Minod Bhanuka, Nishan Madushka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Pawan Ratnayake, Ahan Wickramasinghe, Dushan Hemantha, Wanuja Sahan, Nimesh Vimukthi, Chamika Karunaratne, Chamika Gunasekara, Mohamed Shiraz.