Kamindu Mendis, the ambidextrous cricketer, has been named Sri Lanka captain for the Under-19 World Cup to be held in New Zealand in January 2018. Mendis bowls left-arm spin and off-spin, and is also a useful batsman.

The Galle-born cricketer also played in the Under-19 World Cup held in Bangladesh in 2016, compiling 156 runs and bagging five wickets. Ashen Bandara (average of 31), who topped the batting charts in the 2017 Under-19 Asia Cup, and Praveena Jayawickrama, the left-arm spinner, are some of the other key members of the 15-man squad.

Sri Lanka have been placed in Group D alongside Pakistan, Ireland and Afghanistan. They will commence their campaign in Whangarei versus Ireland. Sri Lanka will then take on Afghanistan on January 17 before playing Pakistan on January 19. Sri Lanka's best show in the Under-19 World Cup came in 2000 when the Malintha Gajanayake-led side reached the final of the showpiece event.

Sri Lanka Under-19 squad: Kamindu Mendis (c), Dhananjaya Lakshan, Santhush Gunathilaka, Hasitha Boyagoda, Nawanidu Fernando, Nipun Dananjaya, Ashen Bandara, Kishan Sanjula, Nishan Madushka, Jehan Daniel, Praveen Jayawickrama, Thisaru Rashmika, Kalana Perera, Nipun Malinga, Haren Buddila.

Courtesy:Cricbuzz