Focus on the future stars: In the new year, a new format for ICC Under-19 World Cup

Few weeks after the turn of the new year, attention will be on unearthing potential stars for the future when the 15th edition of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup begins on 19 January in South Africa.

It will be the second successive year that South Africa will be hosting the age-group global event after Shafali Verma-led India won the inaugural U19 event for women, which was played in the T20 format.

Featuring 16 nations, the men’s 50-over tournament will span 24 days, with a total of 41 matches to be played across five venues in South Africa. Among the contenders will be five-time winners and defending champions India, the reigning ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup holders Australia, and New Zealand, who’ll be making a comeback after missing out on the most recent edition in the West Indies in 2022. The tournament will also witness a new format.

Yash Dhull-led India won the last edition of the tournament in the West Indies in 2022 and are placed in Group A with Bangladesh, Ireland and the USA. Group B features England, South Africa, West Indies, and Scotland. In Group C there will be Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Namibia, while Group D features Afghanistan, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Nepal.

The wait is over 🤩

Fixtures for the 2024 ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in South Africa are OUT! 🗓️#U19WorldCup | More ➡️ https://t.co/IX3eV3Z5fY pic.twitter.com/glWKCQF7xJ

— ICC (@ICC) December 11, 2023

Format tweaked

The event in South Africa, which was originally meant to be held in Sri Lanka, will be a departure from the Plate and Super League format that had been a feature at the tournament in previous editions.

The competition retains the same number of teams (16) as in 2022 and divides them into four groups of four sides, as was the case in the last edition. Things, however, get more interesting from here. As many as 12 sides will remain in contention for the ultimate prize after the opening stage – unlike eight in the previous edition.

The top three sides from each group will qualify for the next phase. Here, the top teams from groups A and D will be clubbed together in what will be known as the Super Six stage, and likewise with the top three teams from groups B and C. They will carry forward their points and net run rate achieved against fellow Super Six qualifying teams from their respective groups.

Here, each side will play two encounters. These will be against those teams from the corresponding group, who finished at different group stage positions. For example, the top team in Group A (A1) will play the teams placed second and third in group D (D2 and D3).

The top two sides from these groups will then qualify for the knockout stages, comprising the semi-finals and the final, to be held in Benoni on 11 February.

India eye rare title defence

In the 2022 edition of the tournament, Dhull’s India had a flawless run, with Ravi Kumar and Raj Bawa holding off a spirited England performance in the final to help the side to another crown.

While the age-specific nature of the tournament mostly ensures that a set of fresh faces appears in each new edition, India has still managed to win three out of the last six tournaments.

Indian players celebrate during U19 World Cup final cricket match between India and England. (Source: PTI)

India have consistently produced high-caliber players at this level and have appeared in every single final of the U19 Men’s CWC since 2016.

However, the side has never quite managed to lift the World Cup on back-to-back occasions. This feat belongs only to Pakistan, which won in 2004 and 2006.

The 2024 edition presents India with a chance to not just win their sixth title, but also become the first since 2006 to successfully defend it.

How teams qualified

As hosts, South Africa will seek to make the most of their home advantage. The young Proteas are hoping to win their first title since the class of 2014 stormed to the title, powered by captain Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada.

David Teeger’s side begin their campaign against the West Indies, the 2016 Champions, on 19 January, before taking on 2022 finalists England on 23 January and Scotland on 27 January for their final group fixture.

The 11 full member nations who featured in the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 earned direct qualification for the South Africa event.

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These teams were South Africa (2014 champions), Australia (1988, 2002, 2010), Afghanistan, Bangladesh (2020), England (1998), India (2000, 2008, 2012, 2018, 2022), Ireland, Pakistan (2004, 2006), Sri Lanka, the West Indies (2016), and Zimbabwe.

For the five remaining spots, teams had to progress via their respective regional qualification tournaments.

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