While all other Cricket playing nations are preparing for the U19 World Cup in a right way, two members of senior selection committee of Sri Lanka Asantha De Mel and Vinothen John, along with a unfocused team manager Farveez Maharoof and biased head coach Hashan Tillakaratne, have messed up big time in finalizing the 15-members squad, Cricket Age exclusively learns.
The U19 World Cup is starting from 17 January in South Africa, as Sri Lanka team is scheduled to depart on January 9. The official squad, though, has been not been announced as yet (waiting for the approval of Sports Minister), the team has already been leaked in local media.
However, according to sources, Asantha De Mel and Vinothen John have selected an unbalanced team, in order to promote certain favorites. Also, team manager Farveez Maharoof (also a junior selector) and coach Hashan Tillakaratne have further contributed to make it an unbalanced squad, with their own favorites.
For example, Avishka Tharindu, the most capped junior player with 19 International matches, has mysteriously been dropped from the squad, without any proper reason. On the other hand, a player, who was main culprit in the drinking scandal during the Asia Cup, has been named in the squad, purely because of Maharoof and Hashan’s influence.
More seriously, the combo of ever clueless Asantha De Mel and Vinothen John has selected four opening batsmen for the tournament, that makes no sense. Also, a particular fast bowler has been included in the squad without the experience of any of the junior international match, only because he bowls like legendary Lasith Malinga.
“In Sri Lanka, the senior selection committee is authorized to select final squads of U19 team’s as well. Sad part is that, Asantha and Vinothen John have acted like dictator for an important ICC tournament like U19 World Cup as well, while completely ignoring junior selection committee” an insider in the team management told Cricket Age.
This is, however, just the beginning of the chaos, as Maharoof and Vinothen John are certain to travel South Africa as well, with all their agendas.
