The future cricket stars are ready to take centre stage as the U19 cricket World Cup takes off tomorrow. The 15th edition of the game will see 16 teams compete for the glory. Each team has been divided into four groups of four. Initially, Sri Lanka was to host the event but when Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) underwent a ban by ICC in November 2023, South Africa was handed the hosting rights, for the third time since 1998. The games will be played in Potchefstroom, Bloemfontein, Benoni, Kimberley and East London. Here’s everything you need to know about the event
U19 Cricket World Cup participating countries
As aforementioned, 16 teams are part of the tourney divided into four groups. All countries have played the previous editions. USA has only appeared twice and this season will see it play for the third time making them the most inexperienced side.
| Group A | India | Bangladesh | Ireland | USA |
| Group B | England | South Africa | West Indies | Scotland |
| Group C | Australia | Sri Lanka | Zimbabwe | Namibia |
| Group D | Afghanistan | Pakistan | New Zealand | Nepal |
The Road to the World Cup
All the full-member nations that appeared in the 2022 version automatically qualified for the 2024 Cup except for New Zealand. The Kiwis opted out of the last tournament due to COVID-19 protocols for the minors. They busted into the circuit through East Asia Pacific Qualifiers. Sri Lanka got in through the host qualification rule despite the event shifting to South Africa.
Four other teams got in through the regional qualifiers. Namibia and Nepal won the Africa and Asia qualifiers respectively. Scotland got the ticket by winning the European round and the USA was top of the American qualifying group.
Format of the game
The 50-over games underwent some changes in the format. The top three teams from the group of four will qualify for the Super Six stage. In this stage, the twelve teams will be divided into two groups of six. The top two teams from each category will progress to the semi-finals.
The four teams that fail to make it to the semis will be given time to play in the playoffs. These play-offs will decide positions from the 13th till 16th. It is important to mention here that the DRS will not be available in the matches, however, TV Empire will be there in all games.
Most Successful teams
India is not only the most successful team of the lot having won five World Cups (2000, 2008, 2012, 2018, and 2022) but they are also the defending champions. They beat England to clench the 2022 trophy. Next in line is Australia. They have three trophies (1988, 2002, and 2010). Pakistan has two titles under their name (2004 and 2006). Bangladesh, South Africa, West Indies and England won the tournament once (2020, 2014, 2016, and 1998 respectively).
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The U19 Cricket World Cup Fixtures
The event will commence on 19th January. The first match will see Ireland lock horns with the USA from Group A while South Africa and West Indies will come face-to-face from Group B. Group D will begin its World Cup campaign on 20th January and Group C will have its first match on the 21st. The Final of the event is scheduled to take place on 11th February. A reserve day has also been set for the final.
Complete Squads
Afghanistan
Naseer Khan (c), Rahimullah Zurmati, Allah Mohammad, Arab Gul Momand, Faridoon Dawoodzai, Bashir Ahmad, Khalil Ahmad, Zahid Afghan, Numan Shah, Hassan Eisakhil, Wafiullah Tarakhil, Khalid Taniwal, Ali Ahmad Nasar, Jamshid Zadran, Sohail Khan Zurmati.. Reserves: Wahidullah Zadran, Nasir Hassan, Usman Shinwari
Australia
Hugh Weibgen (c), Sam Konstas, Rafael MacMillan, Aidan O’Connor, Harjas Singh, Tom Straker, Callum Vidler, Corey Wasley, Lachlan Aitken, Charlie Anderson, Harkirat Bajwa, Mahli Beardman, Tom Campbell, Harry Dixon, Ryan Hicks.
Bangladesh
Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby (c), Shihab James, Ahrar Amin, Sheikh Parvez Jibon, Rafi Uzzaman Rafi, Rohanat Doullah Borson, Ashiqur Rahaman Shibli, Jishan Alam, Chowdhury Md Rizwan, Adil Bin Siddik, Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Boranno, Ariful Islam, Iqbal Hasan Emon, Wasi Siddiquee, Maruf Mridha
England
Ben McKinney (c), Luc Benkenstein, Farhan Ahmed, Tazeem Ali, Charlie Allison, Charlie Barnard, Jack Carney, Jaydn Denly, Hamza Shaikh, Noah Thain, Theo Wylie
Eddie Jack, Dominic Kelly, Sebastian Morgan, Haydon Mustard.
India
Uday Saharan (c), Arshin Kulkarni, Aravelly Avanish Rao, Saumy Kumar Pandey, Murugan Abhishek, Innesh Mahajan, Dhanush Gowda, Aaradhya Shukla, Raj Limbani, Naman Tiwari, Adarsh Singh, Rudra Mayur Patel, Sachin Dhas, Priyanshu Moliya, Musheer Khan.
Ireland
Philippe le Roux (c), Macdara Cosgrave, Harry Dyer, Daniel Forkin, Kian Hilton, Ryan Hunter, Finn Lutton, Oliver Riley, Gavin Roulston, Matthew Weldon, Reuben Wilson. Non-Travelling Reserves: Adam Leckey, Scott Macbeth, Carson McCullough, John McNally, Jordan Neill, Hayden Melly, James West
Nepal
Dev Khanal (c), Gulshan Kumar Jha, Dipesh Prasad Kandel, Bishal Bikram KC, Subhash Bhandari, Deepak Bohara, Dipak Bohara, Uttam Rangu Thapa Macar, Bipin Rawal, Arjun Kumal, Aakash Tripathi, Dipak Prasad Dumre, Durgesh Gupta, Tilak Raj Bhandari, Akash Chand.
New Zealand
Oscar Jackson (c), Mason Clarke, Sam Clode, Snehith Reddy, Matt Rowe, Ewald Schreuder, Lachlan Stackpole, Oliver Tewatiya, Alex Thompson, Ryan Tsourgas, Zac Cumming, Robbie Foulkes, Tom Jones, James Nelson, Luke Watson. Reserves: Ben Breitmeyer, Nick Brown, Henry Christie, Josh Oliver, Amogh Paranjpe.
Namibia
Alex Volschenk (c), Gerhard Janse van Rensburg, Zacheo van Vuuren, Nico Pieters, Faf du Plessis, Woutie Niehaus, PD Blignaut, Hanro Badenhorst, Junior Kariata, Ryan Moffett, Hansie de Villiers, JW Visagie, Ben Brassell, Jack Brassell, Henry van Wyk.
Pakistan
Saad Baig (c), Amir Hassan, Arfat Minhas, Azan Awais, Haroon Arshad, Khubaib Khalil, Mohammad Zeeshan, Ali Asfand, Ali Raza, Ahmad Hassan, Naveed Ahmed Khan, Shahzaib Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Muhammad Riazullah and Ubaid Shah
South Africa
David Teeger, Riley Norton, Nqobani Mokoena, Romashan Pillay, Juan James, Martin Khumalo, Tristan Luus, Kwena Maphaka, Dewan Marias, Sipho Potsane, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Richard Seletswane, Oliver Whitehead, Steve Stolk, and Ntando Zuma
Scotland
Owen Gould (c), Jamie Dunk, Bahadar Esakhiel, Ibrahim Faisal, Rory Grant, Adi Hegde, Mackenzie Jones, Manu Saraswat, Qasim Khan, Uzair Ahmad, Harry Armstrong, Logan Briggs, Nikhil Koteeswaran, Ruaridh McIntyre, Alec Price.
Sri Lanka
Sineth Jayawardena (c), Pulindu Perera, Sharujan Shanmuganathan, Dinura Kalupahana, Malsha Tharupathi, Vishva Lahiru, Garuka Sanketh, Hirun Kapurubandara, Ravishan Nethsara, Rusanda Gamage, Duvindu Ranatunga, Ruvishan Perera, Supun Waduge, Vihas Thewmika, Vishen Halambage. Travelling Reserves: Dinuka Tennakoon, Hiran Jayasundara.
USA
Rishi Ramesh (c), Amogh Arepally, Rayaan Bhagani, Aaryan Batra, Khush Bhalala, Prannav Chettipalayam, Arya Garg, Siddarth Kappa, Bhavya Mehta, Aarin Nadkarni, Manav Nayak, Parth Patel, Utkarsh Srivastava, Ateendra Subramanian, Aryaman Suri. Reserves: Arjun Mahesh, Ansh Rai, Aryan Satheesh
West Indies
Stephan Pascal (c), Nathan Sealy, Jewel Andrew, Mavendra Dindyal, Joshua Dorne, Nathan Edward, Tarrique Edward, Reon Edwards, Deshawn James, Jordan Johnson, Divonie Joseph, Raneico Smith, Isai Thorne, Steve Wedderburn, Adrian Weir
Zimbabwe
Nathaniel Hlabangana, Panashe Taruvinga, Ronak Patel, Campbell MacMillan, Ryan Kamwemba, Brendon Sunguro, Calton Takawira, Matthew Schonken (c), Anesu Kamuriwo, Newman Nyamhuri, Mashford Shungu, Kohl Eksteen, Panashe Gwatiringa, Ryan Simbi, Munashe Chimusoro
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