Milind in U-19 WC squad, Sridhar assistant coach

Mumbai: Hyderabad left-arm pacer C.V. Milind has been selected for the ICC U-19 World Cup to be held in UAE from February 14 to March 1.

The three-time defending champions will be led by Maharashtra batsman Vijay Zol.

India have been clubbed with Pakistan, Scotland and Papua New Guinea in Group A. India start their campaign against two-time champions Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 15.

Former Hyderabad cricketer R. Sridhar, who was assistant coach to the side that won the Asia Cup last week, will carry out the same responsibilities in UAE as well.

Zol was part of Unmukt Chand-led Indian team that won the U-19 World Cup in Australia in 2012. He led India to Asia Cup win recently by beating Pakistan in the final. Zol who has been in red hot form, scored a century in the final along with Kerala batsman Sanju Samson.

The 19-year-old left-hander backed it up with a match-winning 91 not out against the formidable Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal here. “The team has been doing well for the last four tournaments. Everyone has chipped in with one or the other kind of performance. It has been a team effort. Just before the World Cup, everyone is in good nick, so it is good for the team,” Zol had told reporters prior to their Ranji quarterfinal.

Samson was impressive last year in IPL-6 with Rajasthan Royals and he was retained for 2014 season.

He will be key in the batting department along with Zol, Akhil Herwardkar and Sarafraz Khan. Herwadkar also played in the 2012 edition.