The start of the 9th edition of the ICC T20 World Cup is just a few days away. All sides have ramped up their preparations as they get ready for an action-packed cricketing summer. The teams have finalized their squads for the mega event as they battle for the ultimate prize. Fans are going to witness plenty of youngsters at the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup in action, along with some experienced campaigners, as they look to claim glory for their respective countries
Which squad has the highest number of youngsters at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024?
All 20 sides have picked up a nice blend of youth and experience within their squad. Here is a complete age-wise breakdown of these squads.
| Sr No. | Team | Under 21 years old players | 22 to 30 years old players | Above 30 years old players |
| 1. | Afghanistan | 3 | 9 | 3 |
| 2. | Australia | 0 | 7 | 8 |
| 3. | Bangladesh | 2 | 10 | 3 |
| 4. | Canada | 0 | 6 | 9 |
| 5. | England | 0 | 9 | 6 |
| 6. | India | 0 | 10 | 5 |
| 7. | Ireland | 0 | 9 | 6 |
| 8. | Namibia | 3 | 10 | 3 |
| 9. | Nepal | 4 | 10 | 1 |
| 10. | Netherlands | 4 | 7 | 4 |
| 11. | New Zealand | 0 | 4 | 11 |
| 12. | Oman | 0 | 5 | 10 |
| 13. | Pakistan | 1 | 9 | 5 |
| 14. | Papua New Guinea | 1 | 8 | 6 |
| 15. | Scotland | 2 | 6 | 7 |
| 16. | South Africa | 0 | 7 | 8 |
| 17. | Sri Lanka | 2 | 9 | 4 |
| 18. | Uganda | 1 | 8 | 6 |
| 19. | United States of America | 0 | 5 | 10 |
| 20. | West Indies | 0 | 11 | 4 |
Plenty of youngsters at the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup will be showcasing their talents this summer. Let’s preview the top six youngsters (players aged 21 years old or under) who are expected to have a big impact on the title credentials of their respective nations.
#5 Matheesha Pathirana – Sri Lanka
At number five, we have Sri Lanka’s right-arm fast bowler, Matheesha Pathirana. The 21-year-old made his T20I debut this year against Bangladesh and since then, he has picked up 11 wickets in six T20I matches. The young pace sensation is known for his slingy action which is not easily picked up by the majority of the batters.
He has been dubbed Baby Malinga by cricketing fans all over the world. Heading into the tournament, Pathirana would be high in confidence after having a brilliant IPL 2024 campaign with the Chennai Super Kings.
The 21-year-old picked up 13 wickets in six matches for his franchise, at an economy rate of 7.68. The young pacer has a long way to go if he wants to emulate his idol, Lasith Malinga. But if he manages to replicate the lethal Yorkers of the Sri Lankan legend, he could prove to be a tricky customer to deal with at this year’s T20 World Cup.
#4 Kushal Malla – Nepal
Kushal Malla from Nepal is another youngster who has shown high potential over the last couple of years. Despite being 20 years old, Malla is a crucial part of Nepal’s batting lineup. The left-handed batter likes playing with an attacking mindset.
He has notched up 771 runs in 39 T20I matches at a blistering strike rate of 167.24. The youngster also holds the record for the 2nd fastest century (34 balls) in T20I, when he scored 137* off 54 balls against Mongolia at the 2022 Asian Games.
Furthermore, the youngster can ball a bit off-spin as well. The 20-year-old does not spin the ball much, but he is accurate with his line and length and most often delivers for the side when required. As is evident from the match-winning spell that he bowled against UAE in the semifinal match of the 2023 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Regional Final.
His 3-11 figures in 3 overs were crucial in booking Nepal’s place at this summer’s World Cup. Nepal fans would be hoping that he can continue his heroics in the USA and the Caribbean.
#3 Michael Levitt – Netherlands
Another exciting player to watch out for at the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup is Michael Levitt. The opening batter has shown magnificent attacking intent in his short international career so far. The right-handed batter makes full use of the powerplay by playing attacking shots early on in his innings.
The Dutch player has scored 349 T20I runs in nine games so far. During these games, Levitt has been striking at a rate of 156.50 and averaging 43.62. He has even got a century to his name after he scored 135 runs against Namibia in the Tri-Nation series held in Nepal. These are encouraging numbers for a batter who has just started his international career.
The Dutch fans would be hoping that the young man continues to bat with the same intent that he has batted with in his previous games so far. Associate sides need someone like Levitt to open up at the top to put the opposition’s bowling lineup under pressure.
#2 Rohit Paudel – Nepal
Rohit Paudel is the second on our list of the top youngsters at the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup to watch out for. The 21-year-old has gone from strength to strength since he made his debut for Nepal in 2018 as a 15-year-old. Fast forward to today, Rohit is not only a key member of the Nepal side but is the man entrusted to lead his country in their first-ever World Cup campaign.
The right-handed batter has scored 1108 T20I runs in 49 matches at a strike rate of just 124.91. These are decent numbers for a batter playing in the middle order of an associate country. But he needs to increase his scoring rate a bit, at this summer’s World Cup, if he wants to win games for his home country.
His recent form suggests that he is determined to play more aggressively. West Indies A side recently toured Nepal for an unofficial five-match T20 series. Although West Indies A won the series 3-2, Rohit showcased his power-hitting capabilities by scoring some big knocks for Nepal. The 21-year-old scored 265 runs in 4 innings at an astonishing strike rate of 177.85 including a match-winning century as well.
Nepal has one of the youngest sides at this year’s World Cup led by their young, yet experienced captain Rohit Paudel. Nepal fans would be hoping that Rohit can instigate his side to replicate their performances from the West Indies A series at the World Cup.
#1 Naseem Shah – Pakistan
It seems like Naseem Shah has been around forever, but the fact that he is still 21 years old he manages to make it to the No.1 spot on our list of the most exciting youngsters to watch out for at the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup.
The Pakistani pace sensation requires no introduction as he is known for his fierce pace and lethal swing bowling all over the world. The right-arm pacer was instrumental in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup, where Pakistan suffered a narrow defeat against England in the final.
Naseem has picked up 106 wickets in 104 T20 matches and has recently developed a knack for hitting some crucial knocks lower down the order in Pakistan’s batting lineup. The men in green felt his absence greatly in the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup. The pacer missed the mega event in India due to an injury.
The 21-year-old seems to have recovered well from his injury and has looked sharp in the recent games. He could turn out to be a precious weapon in the USA and Caribbean as Babar and Co. look to claim the ultimate T20 glory.
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