Angelo Perera to Captain Sri Lanka Emerging team

Middle order batsman Angelo Perera has been named as the Captain of the Sri Lanka Emerging team for the Emerging Asia Cup 2017 which starts in Bangladesh next week.

The eight-nation Emerging Asia Cup will be played from 27^th March to 3^rd April. Even though it is an under 23 tournament, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has agreed to allow four over-aged national-capped players from the Test playing nations while the likes of Afghanistan, UAE, Hong Kong, Nepal can send their full strength national teams.

The Sri Lankan Emerging team will leave the Island on Saturday with the first match scheduled against India on 27^th March. Sri Lanka will then take on Afghanistan and Malaysia on 28^th and 30^th of March respectively.  All matches for the Islanders will be in Chittagong.

The hosts, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Hong Kong and Nepal will be fighting it out in Group B with top two teams in each group qualifying for the semi-finals.

Apart of Perera, Tamil Union C & AC skipper Kithruwan Vithanage, Chilaw Marians CC opening batsman Shehan Jayasuriya and Ragama CC left-arm spinner Amila Aponso are the other over-aged players named in the 15-man squad.

Talented young batting stars Sadeera Samarawickrama, Leo Fransisco, Ron Chandragupta, Avishka Fernando and Charith Asalanka will make up the batting unit along with all-rounders Wanindu Hasaranga and Chamika Karunarathne.

Duvindu Tillakarathne, son of former Sri Lanka Captain, Hashan Tillakarathne will be the other left-arm spinning option while former Sri Lanka U19 seamers, Anuk Fernando, Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Samarakoon will make up the pace contingent.

Sumithra Warnakulasuriya will be the Head Coach of the team. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is yet to officially announce the squad.

Sri Lanka Emerging Squad – Angelo Perera (Captain), Kithuruwan Vithanage , Shehan Jayasuriya, Amila Aponso , Avishka Farnando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Leo Fransisco, Ron Chandragupta, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Anuk Farnando, Chamika Karunarathne, Asitha Farnando, Lahiru Samarakoon, Duvindu Tillakarathne.