Sri Lanka Under 19 cricketers are getting ready for the ICC under 19 men’s cricket world cup which will be played from January 16 to February 6, 2026 in Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The 16 teams have been divided into four groups and Sri Lanka in Group ‘C’ with Ireland, Japan and defending champions Australia. Sri Lanka’s first game will be against Japan on January. 17 Their next opponent will be Ireland ( January 19) followed by Australia January 23).
The Chairman of the National Junior Selection Committee Vinothen John said we have selected a 22 member under 19 National pool and they are training under the guidance of National under 19 coach
The Under 19 Asia Cup tournament will commence prior to Under 19 world cup from December 12 to 21 in Dubai and the Asia Cup tournament is very vital for the National Under 19 team for the world cup. Sri Lanka cricket have provided all facilities for the Junior cricketers training to focus on the world cup. The under 19 pool players are scheduled to take part in a residential training programme at Dambulla from December 1 to -6 and the selected 22 pool players are expected to participate in the training programme, said Vinothen John the Chairman of the Junior selection committee.
The Asia Cup and World Cup will be played in two different conditions while Dubai is more familiar for the spinners while the World cup is in Namibia and Zimbabwe wickets more suited for the fast bowlers. Sri Lanka cricketers have to face this challenge and this is going to be a good experience for the youngsters. Sri Lanka team is expected to leave early on January 2 to adjust to the conditions before their world cup warm cup games (from January 9 to-14) and this is a good decision by SLC said Chairman of the junior selection committee. Sri Lanka under 19 world cup squad will most probably be finalized as soon as they finish the Asia Cup and we want to pick the best squad for the world cup he said. Today Sri Lankan youngsters get more international tours which give good exposure for the players and SLC always keen to provide tours for the youngsters. The under 17 National team is presently touring Bangladesh and Under 17 players will focus on 2028 under 19 World Cup.
Sri Lanka never won the under 19 world cup and their best achievement was runners up in the 2000 world cup under the leadership of Malintha Gajanayake and that time Sri Lanka hosted the world cup for the first time. The defending champion Australia already won 4 titles while India is the most successful having five titles in the under 19 world cup history. Pakistan won two times while South Africa, England, West Indies and Bangladesh won 1 time each.
This 16th edition world cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia first time host the event which included 41 matches will be played over 23 days, in Harare Sports Club (Harare, Zimbabwe), Takashinga Sports Club (Harare), Queens Sports Club (Bulawayo, Zimbabwe), Namibia Cricket Ground (Windhoek, Namibia), and HP Oval (Windhoek) will host the world cup .