Wicket-keeper batter Sadeera Samarawickrama has been handed the captaincy of the 16-member Sri Lanka ‘A’ team, which emplaned for Dubai Thursday (10), for the limited overs tri-series also featuring Afghanistan ‘A’ and Ireland ‘A,’ a media release from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said on Wednesday (9).

The team picked by the Upul Tharanga-helmed national selectors includes a few talented youngsters with Samarawickrama and left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka being the two with most international experience.

Samarawickrama, who made his international debut in 2017, has mostly played white-ball cricket for Sri Lanka, having won 50 ODI and 19 T20I caps, while Madushanka too has trodden on a similar path, having made his bow three years ago while representing his country in 26 ODIs and 15 T20Is.

Besides them the squad features players such as Nuwanidu Fernando, Sahan Arachchige, Lasith Croospulle, Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Mohamed Shiraz, Dushan Hemantha, and Milan Ratnayake, who also could boast of having turned out for the country in both red and white-ball cricket.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ are due to play against Afghanistan ‘A’ and Ireland ‘A’ twice each in the round-robin stage, with the two top teams advancing to the final. Former national player Avishka Gunawardena will be the Head Coach of Sri Lanka ‘A.’

The tournament organised by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is set to be held from 13 to 25 April.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ squad

Sadeera Samarawickrama (Captain), Nuwanidu Fernando, Sahan Arachchige, Lasith Croospulle, Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Pavan Rathnayake, Sonal Dinusha, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Mohamed Shiraz, Tharindu Rathnayake, Dilshan Madushanka, Wanuja Sahan, Dushan Hemantha, Milan Rathnayake

Sri Lanka ‘A’ schedule

13 April: Sri Lanka ‘A’ vs. Ireland ‘A’

15 April: Sri Lanka ‘A’ vs. Afghanistan ‘A’

19 April: Sri Lanka ‘A’ vs. Ireland ‘A’

23 April: Sri Lanka ‘A’ vs. Afghanistan ‘A’

25 April: Tri-nation final

(JK)