U19 World Cup: Young guns gear up for big challenge

Four matches on inaugural day; Pakistan to play opener against India.

KARACHI: Future stars from 16 nations will be seen in action at the International Cricket Council (ICC) U19 World Cup which starts in the UAE on Thursday. The tournament has been credited for producing great players for the international circuit.

The competition has provided impetus to the careers of stalwarts like Michael Atherton, Inzamamul Haq, Nasser Hussain, Brian Lara, Sanath Jayasuriya and Graeme Smith. The list includes current stars such as Ahmed Shahzad, Alastair Cook, Quinton de Kock, Shikhar Dhawan, Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli and Ross Taylor among others.

This year’s edition carries extra significance as it is taking place a year before the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, which will start exactly a year from now.



The 16 participating teams have been divided in four groups.

Two-times champions Pakistan are tied in Group A with traditional rivals and defending champions India along with Scotland and Papua New Guinea.

Group B comprises Australia, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Namibia, while Group C includes South Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe and Canada. New Zealand, England, Sri Lanka and UAE form Group D.

The top two teams from each group will progress to the Super League quarter-finals, while the two bottom teams from each group are to qualify for the Plate Championship last-eight.

Pakistan, India to meet tomorrow

As many as four matches will be played on the opening day of the tournament.

In Abu Dhabi, the 1998 champions England will take on UAE, while Zimbabwe are scheduled to play against Canada. New Zealand will square off against Sri Lanka in Sharjah, whereas South Africa and the West Indies will go head to head in Dubai.

Dubbed as the biggest contest in the group stage, Pakistan and India will clash in Dubai on Thursday.

Pakistan captain Sami Aslam vowed to give a promising show in the mega tournament.

“It is a great achievement for a player to participate in this tournament, as it is a step towards securing a spot in the national side,” said Aslam. “We are looking forward to a solid performance.”

Team India was also confident ahead of the event.

India captain Vijay Zol said: “We have won in the past and also the recently concluded Junior Asia Cup, so we are carrying the momentum with us.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14^th, 2014.

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