Zahira College, a team packed with youngsters this season, will face a tough task to survive the drop from the top division despite a stellar performance last season.
A Bit of History
Zahira College founded in 1892 is the very first private Muslim school to be established in Sri Lanka. Today the school is the largest Muslim educational institution in Sri Lanka with more than 4900 students and 250 teachers.
Zahira College have produced the likes of Gulan Razik and M. Devarajan who represented Sri Lanka (then known as Ceylon) way back in the 1960s.
In 2003. Zahira College was relegated to Division 3 in unfortunate fashion and spent many years in the lower league before been promoted back to the top division in 2008.
In the most recent season (2015/16), performed exceptionally well, making it to the pre-quarter finals of the League tournament.
2016/ 17
Having been drawn in Group C, Zahira would look to make maximum use of the rather undemanding group and have their say in this year’s U19 Division I Cricket tournament even though they have a young side. Zahira College began their 2016/17 season with an unfortunate loss to Bandaranayake College. A first innings loss in the tournament fixture against Dharmasoka College added to their woes as their young team looks to be in a tangle right at the beginning of the season.
Key Players
Having already made a valiant century in a losing cause, Sajith Sameera will be key toward Zahira’s chances of surviving in the top division. Sajith managed 800+ runs and took more than 40 wickets in the 2015/16 season and will be looking to better his performance from last season.
Captain Ishan Samsudeen will be pivotal as he looks to lead his young team through a competitive season. The right handed batsman will look to add solidarity to the batting while also looking to add some support with his left arm orthodox spin.
Coaching staff
Former Isipathana coach, Pradeep Nishantha will have a tough task on hand as he, along with young assistant coach Shameer Ahmed, will have to groom the youngsters in the first team and mold the seniors to lead Zahira.
M.R.D Hameen will be the Master in Charge for Zahira College.
Photo Album: Zahira College Cricket Team Preview 2016/17
Final Say
With a very young team at their disposal (4 under 15 players), Zahira College will face a mammoth task to remain in Division one. Players in the likes of Sajith Sameera and Captain Ishan Samsudeen will have to stand up and perform out of their skins for Zahira to have any chance to remain in the top division. The only positive they can take from the team’s inexperience is that it will hold them in good stead during the years to come.
