Frequently serving as a stepping stone to promising futures, the U19 CWC has witnessed numerous players transitioning to successful senior international careers. As the tournament kicks off on January 16, let’s explore several players expected to excel in South Africa.
India: U19 CWC
Following their semifinal appearance at the ACC U19 Asia Cup, India geared up for the South Africa U19 CWC tournament with a successful tri-series against the hosts and Afghanistan. Uday Saharan’s impressive performance, scoring 112 against South Africa in the final, highlighted their victory. Players like Arshi Kulkarni, Raj Limbani, and Saumy Pandey showcased their skills in different aspects of the game. With India’s history of fast-tracking U19 talents to the senior team, a strong showing in South Africa could open doors to higher honors. The squad includes Arshin Kulkarni, Adarsh Singh, Rudra Mayur Patel, Sachin Dhas and others.
Bangladesh:
Ashiqur Rahaman Shibli shone at the ACC U19 Asia Cup, emerging as the top scorer with 378 runs, including two centuries and two fifties. Maruf Mridha, a consistent left-arm seamer, played a crucial role in their successful campaign. Bangladesh, led by Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby, has a promising lineup, and Shibli’s exceptional form adds a significant edge. Their squad includes Jishan Alam, Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Boranno, Ahrar Amin and others.
Ireland: U19 CWC
Ireland, under Philippe le Roux’s leadership, comes with confidence, having secured a youth ODI win against England and a victory against Zimbabwe. All-rounder Scott MacBeth’s stellar performance, supported by Gavin Roulston and Jordan Neill, showcased their batting prowess. Bowler Daniel Forkin’s notable figures against England add depth to their bowling attack. The team, including Macdara Cosgrave, Harry Dyer, Finn Lutton and others, aims for a strong showing in the U19 CWC tournament.
USA:
Captained by Rishi Ramesh, USA looks forward to a dynamic performance. Utkarsh Srivastava, a versatile batter and finger-spinner, is a key figure in their lineup. Seamer Ateendra Subramanian, with significant experience in Minor League Cricket, adds strength to their bowling. The team, featuring Aaryan Batra, Siddarth Kappa, Rishi Ramesh and others, aims to make a mark in the U19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa.
England: U19 CWC
Bringing a wealth of experience, England’s squad boasts players with professional county contracts, making them one of the most accomplished in Group B of U19 CWC tournament. Captain Ben McKinney, representing Durham, showcased his form with a striking average of 129 in the recent Youth ODI series against Australia. Hamza Shaikh from Warwickshire led the run tally, while players like Eddie Jack and Jaydn Denly add depth to both batting and bowling. Vice-captain Luc Benkenstein, a leg-spinning all-rounder, contributes significantly, and the team also includes promising talents like Charlie Allison and Noah Thain.
South Africa:
Left-arm quick Kwena Maphaka, a notable figure in South Africa’s cricketing journey, has impressed for both the U19s and the South Africa Emerging side. Having played in the last U19 World Cup at the age of 15, Maphaka continues to show good form, highlighted by a five-wicket haul in the preparation tri-series against Afghanistan. Batter Steve Stolk’s remarkable performance in the U19 tri-series and right-armer seamer Nqobani Mokoena’s dual contribution with bat and ball add strength to the squad. The team also includes players like David Teeger and Esosa Aihevba.
West Indies: U19 CWC
Jamaican batter Jordan Johnson, having featured in the 2022 tournament at the age of 16, returns with List A and First Class debuts under his belt. Wicketkeeper-batter Jewel Andrew and fast bowler Isai Thorne have showcased their skills on youth tours, and vice-captain Nathan Sealy is recognized as a future senior international, excelling as a left-arm spinner and a promising batsman. The squad for the U19 CWC, led by Stephan Pascal, also features players like Mavendra Dindyal and Adrian Weir.
Scotland:
Scotland’s squad includes standout performers from the Europe Qualifier, with batter Jamie Dunk leading the run-scoring charts. Off-spinning all-rounder Alec Price, with notable contributions in both batting and bowling, adds versatility to the team. The emergence of 18-year-old batter Bahadar Esakhiel, known for his outstanding fielding, is a captivating story. U17 century-maker Esakhiel, along with teammates Uzair Ahmad and Qasim Khan, is expected to make a significant impact. The team is led by Owen Gould and also features players like Logan Briggs and Mackenzie Jones.
Australia: U19 CWC
Highly anticipated for success, Sam Konstas from Sutherland has earned praise from former Test spinner Kerry O’Keeffe and secured a senior call-up for New South Wales in First Class cricket. Konstas showcased his prowess with an unbeaten hundred in an U19 one-day match against England during their August UK tour. Raf MacMillan excelled as the leading wicket-taker in the Youth ODI series against England, while Harjas Singh impressed with the bat. With players like Mahli Beardman and Harry Dixon, who holds a Big Bash League contract, Australia’s squad for U19 CWC is filled with promising talent.
Sri Lanka:
Led by talented batting all-rounder Sineth Jayawardena, Sri Lanka enters the tournament after hosting the West Indies and participating in the ACC U19 Asia Cup. Jayawardena, expected to bat at No.3, aims to convert starts into significant scores. Dinura Kalupahana adds batting strength, having posted half-centuries against Pakistan and UAE. Malsha Tharupathi, a highly-touted leg-spinner, brings valuable bowling expertise. Garuka Sanketh and Supun Waduge are additional assets to watch in Sri Lanka’s campaign.
Zimbabwe: U19 CWC
Zimbabwe, led by Matthew Schonken, intensified their preparation with matches against Ireland. Schonken and Newman Nyamhuri showcased their bowling prowess, each claiming five wickets in two matches. Ryan Kamwemba, a versatile player who can also keep wicket, made a notable 112-ball 103 in the second fixture. The team for the U19 CWC, determined after successfully defending 236 in the first match, presents a competitive lineup with players like Nathaniel Hlabangana and Anesu Kamuriwo.
Namibia:
Namibia, equipped with several squad members in senior team contention, enters the tournament with players flourishing in domestic cricket. Captain Alexander Volschenk and others, who play and attend school south of the border, bring familiarity with South African conditions. Jack Brassell, known for his remarkable figures of 7/9 in a domestic 50-over debut, adds a dynamic element. Gerhard Janse van Rensburg and Zacheo van Vuuren, son of Rudie, contribute as experienced all-rounders. Namibia’s squad, including Ben Brassell and Nico Pieters, promises a competitive presence in the tournament.
Afghanistan: U19 CWC
The continuous emergence of spinners from Afghanistan is evident in the 2024 U19 CWC edition, with 16-year-old Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar expected to make a significant impact. Drawing comparisons to Mujeeb ur Rahman, Ghazanfar’s tall off-spin has garnered attention, and his name has featured in final auction lists for various T20 leagues. Meanwhile, Hassan Khan Eisakhil, following in the footsteps of his famous father Mohammad Nabi, contributes as an opener and recently showcased his batting prowess with a half-century in the team’s preparation tri-series match against India in Johannesburg.
Pakistan:
17-year-old Saad Baig shoulders a dual responsibility as the captain and wicketkeeper-batsman for Pakistan, featuring at No.4 in the batting order. With three half-centuries in his last four innings, Baig embraces key moments in the game. Seamer Mohammed Zeeshan, a travelling reserve two years ago, is expected to play a prominent role. Ubaid Shah, brother of Naseem Shah, looks to make a name for himself with his fast bowling, and Arafat Minhas, who featured in Pakistan’s Hangzhou campaign during the Asian Games in October, adds further depth.
New Zealand: U19 CWC
New Zealand’s journey to South Africa for the U19 CWC included topping the East Asia-Pacific tournament in Darwin last June. Zac Cumming, son of former international Craig Cumming, played a vital role with both bat and ball. The squad features family connections, with Matt Rowe, cousin of current White Fern Hannah Rowe, and Tom Jones, grandson of New Zealand great Jeremy Coney. Jones, the top-scorer at the East Asia-Pacific Qualifier, adds strength to the batting lineup.
Nepal:
Skipper Dev Khanal and Gulshan Jha, known from their appearances for the Nepali senior team, bring experience to the squad. Excitement surrounds players like Arjun Kumal, who has showcased impressive performances across warm-up play and the ACC U19 Asia Cup. Durgesh Gupta, a left-arm seamer, has left a mark in junior domestic cricket, adding depth to Nepal’s bowling lineup.
