Manudi leads Sri Lanka to Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup

Saturday, 11 January 2025 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

15-member team leaves for Malaysia

Manudi Nanayakkara

Sri Lanka Women’s Under-19 Cricket Captain Manudi Nanayakkara will lead a 15-strong player team to the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia from 18 January to 2 February.

Rashmika Sewwandi will be Manudi’s deputy. Sri Lanka had a good warm-up ahead of the World Cup playing host to Bangladesh in a 4-match Under-19 T20 series which ended in a 2-all draw.

Sri Lanka play hosts Malaysia in their first match on 19 January in Kuala Lumpur. Their other Group A matches are against West Indies on 21 January and India on 23 January, both matches in Kuala Lumpur. Sri Lanka will be looking to improve on their Super 6 finish last time out as they return for their second ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, states an ICC media release.

A victory over the USA secured their progression to Super 6 Group 1 two years ago, but they will have eyes on taking the next step after missing out on the semi-finals. They reached the last four in the recent Asia Cup but missed out on the final after defeat to Group A rivals India.

They will have a chance to get revenge when the sides meet on 23 January in their final group stage match, and prodigious bowler Chamodi Praboda could be key to their chances.

The 15-year-old took three for 16 against India, while fellow spinner Shashini Gimhani also impressed in the tournament.

Captain Manudi Nanayakkara is a dangerous option with the bat, something she demonstrated with an unbeaten 74 off 40 against Malaysia.

She will combine with Limansa Thilakarathna and wicketkeeper-batter Sumudu Nisansala in a strong middle order, while opener Sanjana Kavindi will hope to provide a strong platform. The team left for Malaysia yesterday.

SRI LANKA SQUAD FOR UNDER-19 T20 WORLD CUP

Captain Manudi Nanayakkara (Princess of Wales, Moratuwa), Vice-Captain Rashmika Sewwandi (Anura College, Matara), Vimoksha Balasooriya (Sinhala MV, Trincomalee), Hiruni Hansika (Devapathiraja College, Rathgama), Sumudu Nisansala (Devapathiraja College, Rathgama), Dahami Sanuthma (Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda), Rashmi Nethranjali (Devapathiraja College, Rathgama), Sashini Gimhani (Devapathiraja College, Rathgama), Asheni Thalagune (Mahamaya Girls College, Kandy), Pramudi Methsara (Uhana Central College, Ampara), Chamodi Praboda (Pagngnananda MV, Monaragala), Sanjana Kavindi (Devapathiraja College, Rathgama), Danuli Thennakoon (Maliyadeva Balika Vidyalaya, Kurunegala), Limansa Thilakaratne (unattached), Shehara Induwari (Devapathiraja College, Rathgama), Travelling Reserve: Nethangi Isuranjali (Devapathiraja College, Rathgama).