The ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2024 discussion

U-19 World Cup, Super Sixes Group 1: India 297/5 in 50 overs (S Dhas 116, U Saharan 100; G Jha 3/56) vs Nepal in Bloemfontein
Super Sixes, Group 1

India U19 297/5 (50 overs)

Nepal U19 165/9 (50 overs)

India U19 win by 132 runs
 
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Inclement weather forced an exciting clash to be abandoned

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Pakistan U19 has dominantly beaten India U19 in the ACC U19 Asia Cup 2023.
That was just one match on which we got lucky with the toss and favorable 1st innings bowling conditions now India U19 had played tri series in South Africa and more adapted to the conditions and have more experience as well under these conditions, it will be tough encounter this time
 
Super Sixes, Group 1

India U19 297/5 (50 overs)

Nepal U19 165/9 (50 overs)

India U19 win by 132 runs

After being rattled early in their innings, which included a sequence of losing two wickets in the space of three balls, India regained control on the back of a fighting stand between skipper Uday Saharan and Sachin Dhas. A 215-run stand between the duo helped India rebuild and march towards a strong total. This was the highest stand for India at the U19 Cricket World Cup.

Both batters hit their centuries, and India finished at 297/5.

Nepal were watchful at the start, and went about their business quietly. However, led by their wily vice-captain, Saumy Pandey, India found a way in. Raj Limbani, Arshin Kulkarni, and Murugan Abhishek also contributed to the wickets column, as Nepal slipped from 48/0 to 77/7.

Resilient effort from tailenders helped Nepal play out their 50 overs, but India were the comfortable winners in the end.

This win helped them reach the semi-finals of the U19 World Cup 2024. Sachin Dhas was the Player of the Match for his 116.

ICC
 
So, 3 semi-finalists have been confirmed. India, Australia, and South Africa.

Pakistan-BD game is to decide the final semi-finalist.
 
Today's fixtures in the ICC U19 World Cup 2024:

New Zealand U19 vs Ireland U19, 37th Match, Super Six, Group 1 (08:00 AM GMT)

England U19 vs Zimbabwe U19, 38th Match, Super Six, Group 2 (08:00 AM GMT)

Pakistan U19 vs Bangladesh U19, 36th Match, Super Six, Group 1 (08:00 AM GMT)
 
Pakistan defended a low total against Bangladesh to become the fourth team to qualify for the semi-finals.

Credit goes to lethal bowling from Ubaid Shah 5/44 in 10 overs
 
ENGLAND UNDER-19
237/7 (50.0)

ZIMBABWE UNDER-19
91 (24.5)

England won by 146 runs

Theo Wylie's kept the scoreboard ticking, even as England lost two big wickets within the first 15 overs.

Zimbabwe's sharp work in the field, helped them garner wickets at regular intervals. This included the unusual dismissal of Hamza Shaikh. The batter jammed the ball back onto his shoe and then picked it up while it was still rolling. He was declared out for obstructing the field.

When Wylie fell for 61, England had 116 on board, with half their side back in the pavilion.

An important stand between Charlie Allison and Haydon Mustard, helped England reach 237/7 at their 50 over mark. Allison finished at 76, while Mustard scored 41.

Zimbabwe's chase was dismantled by the superb turn of Tazeem Ali. The young Chevrons were 51/3 when Tazeem struck first. He then went on to garner the remaining six wickets, even as Zimbabwe's innings went into a tailspin.

Tazeem's 7/29 won him the Player of the Match accolades. Thus, England managed to sign off with a win.
 
Great wicket Pakistan. Beating Bangladesh u19s isn’t easy
 
Many Congrats to Pakistan U19 team.

After the kind of shameful shenanigans (don’t wanna call it youthful exuberance, it was plain ugly churlish behaviour) that BDU19 boys did against Indian boys in the earlier game, I Could not be more happier than this result.
 
NEW ZEALAND UNDER-19
131/5 (32.1)

IRELAND UNDER-19
267/9 (50 overs)

Ireland win by 41 runs (DLS)

Ireland were the better side in all departments of the game, and overcame New Zealand in a rain-affected game. This was Ireland's first-ever win over New Zealand.

Ireland batters showed their aggressive intent early on, going at about six runs an over, before the Kiwi pacers struck back by removing their openers.

Gavin Roulston and Kian Hilton then got about reconstructing the Irish innings. Hilton scored yet another impressive half-century, to push Ireland closer to 200. The European side did cross that mark, but Ewald Schreuder's sensational spell brought the Black Caps back into the game.

Roulston's fighting 82 helped Ireland finish past 250. Roulston's knock encompassed six fours. Hilton was the second-best with 72 to his name. Schreuder was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers with his 4/46.

Disciplined work from Ireland ensured that the New Zealand innings had a sedate start. Sharp work in the field and Oliver Riley's splendid bowling ensured that the top three were back in the hut by the 24th over.

New Zealand lost two more, including skipper Oscar Jackson, before inclement weather stopped the game. The game couldn't resume, and Ireland were declared winners by 41 runs (DLS Method), ending their tournament on a high.
 
The fast bowling talent this tournament has been very good from the highlights I've seen.

PAK, WI, SA, Aus and even BD all have 1-2 very good fast bowlers. Haven't watched anything involving India but I imagine they probably have a name or two as well.
 
SOme good talent emerging yet again from the U19 group. Most of them are bowlers for me.
 
The fast bowling talent this tournament has been very good from the highlights I've seen.

PAK, WI, SA, Aus and even BD all have 1-2 very good fast bowlers. Haven't watched anything involving India but I imagine they probably have a name or two as well.
Indeed it’s been a while we have a bunch of highly talented bowlers in most teams.

To be honest not a single batsmen in any team looks next level prodigy but too many outstanding bowlers and surprised to see no eye catching Indian batter with outstanding talent which is unexpected indeed.
 
Five top performers at the U19 World Cup so far

There have been plenty of standout players at the ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2024 thus far and we highlight five future stars that have led the way through the group stage and Super Six phase.

Musheer Khan - India

334 runs at 83.50
Four wickets at 24.25

The India all-rounder is a player of immense talent and has already shown his capabilities in South Africa with bat and ball.

Two centuries - with just one failure - from five innings highlight Musheer's output at the tournament thus far, with his best effort coming against New Zealand where he contributed a brilliant 131 from just 126 deliveries and then chipped in with two valuable wickets in a standout Player of the Match performance.

The most runs scored by an India player at a previous edition of the U19 World Cup was white-ball specialist Shikhar Dhawan (505 runs) back in 2004 and on current form one would think Musheer must be some chance to surpass the former great.

Ubaid Shah - Pakistan

17 wickets at 10.52
31 runs at 10.3

Naseem Shah burst onto the international stage at a young age and Ubaid can follow in the footsteps of his older brother if he can build on his efforts shown at the U19 World Cup.

Ubaid has been a model of consistency through five matches at the event, with his most recent effort a superb five-wicket haul in Pakistan's narrow triumph over Bangladesh that sealed their place in the semi-finals.

The right-armer can generate movement with the new ball and is equally as adept bowling at the death and is a player of huge promise for Pakistan in the future.

With three more scalps during the knockout stages Ubaid can surpass the 19-wicket hauls managed by compatriots Riaz Afridi (2004) and Mushtaq Ahmed (1988) at previous editions of the tournament and claim the record for the most wickets by a Pakistan player in one edition of the event.

Kwena Maphaka - South Africa

18 wickets at 9.55
13 runs (not dismissed)

A trio of five-wicket hauls has the tall South Africa quick in the box seat to finish the tournament as the leading wicket-taker and that's not the only accolade the left-armer is in contention for.

Five more wickets will see Maphaka break Enamul Haque Junior's record of 22 for the most wickets in a single edition of the U19 World Cup, while the 17-year-old is four scalps away from overtaking Zimbabwe's Wessly Madhevere's haul of 28 for the most wickets in total at the U19 World Cup with the South African having managed seven wickets at the 2022 tournament.

Maphaka has been a class above with the ball for the Proteas on home soil, with many of his 18 wickets coming with the new ball that he has been able to move both ways and cause much discomfort for opposition batters.

It's hard to top Maphaka's haul of 6/21 against Sri Lanka, although his spell of 5/38 against the West Indies at the start of the tournament was equally impressive with four of his wickets coming bowled or LBW.

Hugh Weibgen - Australia

252 runs at 63

High quality players tend to save their best performances for the most important games of all and that certainly looked the way for Weibgen as he played a gem of a knock during Australia's crucial Super Six clash against England.

Weibgen steadied Australia's innings following the loss of Sam Konstas in the opening over and then put England to the sword with an intelligent knock that helped his side compile a match-winning score.

The right-hander also batted with high IQ when amassing an equally important innings of 39* at the start of the tournament against Namibia and the 19-year-old will be pivotal to Australia's push for a fourth U19 World Cup title.

Steve Stolk - South Africa

214 runs at 42.80

While seven players at the tournament have exceeded Stolk's tally of 214 runs, not one has gone close to bettering his impressive strike-rate of 148.61.

That strike-rate is so impressive that a look back at previous editions of the U19 World Cup shows class performers in the ilk of Kieran Powell (124.01 in 2008) of the West Indies, New Zealand's Finn Allen (119.01 in 2018) and India's Shubman Gill (112.38 in 2018) as players able to go closest to matching that scoring clip.

It was the opener's innings of 86 from just 37 deliveries against Scotland that made many take notice of the South African as the hard-hitting opener smashed seven fours and eight massive sixes in an unbelievable individual knock.

South Africa have a habit of producing high quality white-ball batters and Stolk appears to be another player on their way to the top.

ICC
 
Indeed it’s been a while we have a bunch of highly talented bowlers in most teams.

To be honest not a single batsmen in any team looks next level prodigy but too many outstanding bowlers and surprised to see no eye catching Indian batter with outstanding talent which is unexpected indeed.
Musheer may not have perfect technique or even a flashy one but he is still the standout batter of the tournament. Very effective at this level.


And he bowls.
 
If pak wants to win this worldcup then they need to drop Usman and Ali Asfand in their remaining games , you can’t compete at world stage with 9.5 players instead 11.

Both Naveed and Riazullah must play.
 
SEMI-FINAL 1 PREVIEW: DEFENDING CHAMPIONS INDIA CLASH AGAINST HOSTS SOUTH AFRICA

India take on South Africa in the first semi-final of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 in Benoni.

After 38 matches and 16 days since the start of the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup 2024, four teams now remain in contention for the coveted title.

India have been a force throughout the tournament so far, not only winning each of their five matches, but also dominating their opponents with three of their wins coming by a margin of over 200 runs.

India have found consistent contributors both with the bat and ball, but it is their batting prowess that has stood out in the tournament. Remarkably, five different players have notched up centuries to date at the tournament.

However, they might not have faced a bowling attack of South Africa's calibre yet, which is spearheaded by the tournament's top wicket-taker, Kwena Maphaka. The left-arm pacer has effortlessly dismantled opposing batting lineups, claiming three five-wicket hauls along the way. India will, however, take confidence from the fact that they successfully negated him in the tri-series preceding the U19 Men’s CWC.

The Proteas' opening batters, Steve Stolk and Lhuan-dre Pretorius, have showcased exceptional form, leading the charge for South Africa.

South Africa have only stumbled once in the tournament – against England in the group stages. But the hosts have momentum on their side with dominant victories thereafter – among their highlights has been their explosive chase of 273 runs for victory in 27 overs against Scotland to secure top spot in the group stages.

As the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup 2024 reaches its business end, the clash between India and South Africa promises to be a riveting encounter, with Willowmoore Park in Benoni the stage on which the action will unfold.

How they have fared so far

India

Form guide (in the tournament): W W W W W

India commenced their tournament with a commanding 84-run victory over Bangladesh, led by Saumy Pandey's impressive four-wicket haul.

In the following match against Ireland, Musheer Khan's century propelled India beyond the 300-run mark, with Naman Tiwari contributing a four-wicket haul for a resounding 201-run win.

The momentum continued as the defending champions breached 300 runs once more, this time against the USA. Opener Arshin Kulkarni passed three figures this time, before Naman recorded successive four-fors as India emerged victors by the same margin.

The Super Six stage then rolled around, and up against New Zealand, Musheer Khan showcased his brilliance with a second century, setting a target of 296. Saumy Pandey’s four wickets dismantled any hope of a chase, as the Blackcaps were bowled out for just 81.

Centuries from captain Uday Saharan and Sachin Dhas laid the foundation for a big total of 297/5 in their final super Six match against Nepal. Pandey's left-arm spin wreaked havoc once again, leading to a 131-run victory as India punched their tickets to the semi-finals.

South Africa

Form guide (in the tournament): W W L W W

The hosts started off their tournament with a thrilling win over West Indies in a closely contested match. Kwena Maphaka’s scintillating five-for trumped Jewel Andrew’s valiant ton as the Proteas won by 31 runs.

South Africa then suffered their first and only defeat, losing out against England by 36 runs (DLS) in a rain-truncated match.

However, they bounced back in style by chasing 273 in 27 overs against Scotland. Steve Stolk smashed a fifty off just 13 balls, the fastest in U19 Men’s CWC history and was well supported by Dewan Marais’s 50-ball 80.

In their first outing in the Super Six stage, Kwena Maphaka's second five-wicket haul restricted Zimbabwe to a lowly 102. South Africa launched another explosive chase to secure a comfortable win in just 13.3 overs, with Pretorius contributing a quickfire half-century.

In their final Super Six game, Sri Lanka’s bowling posed a challenge, restricting the hosts to a modest 232 runs. However, Maphaka's outstanding six-wicket haul tore through the Islanders' batting lineup, securing South Africa's qualification and a blockbuster matchup against India in the semi-final with an emphatic 119-run victory.

Players to watch

Musheer Khan has been a revelation for India in the tournament so far, leading the run-scoring charts with 334 runs at an impressive strike rate of 103.72. Beyond his batting prowess, Khan has also proved handy with the ball, scalping four wickets at an economy rate of 3.01.

Closely behind Musheer in the list for most runs is captain Uday Saharan with 308. A pillar in the middle order, Uday has momentum on his side after a century in the last game against Nepal.

It has been hard to keep Saumy Pandey out of any game in the tournament to date, with the left-arm spinner bagging at least three wickets in four of the five games so far.

Currently third in the wicket-takers list with 16 wickets, Pandey will be looking to climb to the top but the brilliant Kwena Maphaka stands in his way at the summit of the bowling charts with 18.

The left-arm quick has earned plaudits from some of the greats of the game for his speed and ability to move the ball early.

Among the Proteas batters, the responsibility will primarily rest on the shoulders of openers Steve Stolk and Lhaun-dre Pretorius to provide a strong start for South Africa. Stolk has taken the tournament by storm, his 214 runs coming at a blazing strike rate of 148.6. Together with Pretorius, the pair have added 360 runs, the highest for any pair in the tournament, at a stunning strike rate of 141.2.

Predicted XI:

India: Adarsh Singh, Arshin Kulkarni, Musheer Khan, Uday Saharan (C), Priyanshu Moliya, Sachin Dhas, Aravelly Avanish (wk), Murugan Abhishek, Naman Tiwari, Raj Limbani, Saumy Pandey.

South Africa: Lhuan-dre Pretorius (wk), Steve Stolk, David Teeger, Richard Seletswane, Dewan Marais, Romashan Pillay, Juan James (C), Riley Norton, Tristan Luus, Nqobani Mokoena, Kwena Maphaka.
 
PROCESS-DRIVEN MUSHEER KHAN IS LIVING IN THE MOMENT AHEAD OF HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CUP CLASH

Musheer Khan’s already had a remarkable ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024. He is currently the leading run-scorer in the tournament, and with a semi-final against South Africa on Tuesday looming, has a chance to further cement his name alongside other luminaries of Indian cricket who walked the same path. One of those was Sarfaraz Khan, Musheer’s older brother, who played two editions of this tournament – in 2014 and 2016 – and was recently called up to the Indian Test squad for the series against England. Sarfaraz’s journey hasn’t been without its struggles, and in being able to pick the brains of someone who has done this before, Musheer feels privileged. He has learnt what he could while closely observing his brother’s career. His elder sibling is not just a source of inspiration now, but also a confidante.

“The first thing he told me was that there is no bigger pride than playing for India,” Musheer tells ICC when asked about his brother’s influence. “He told me to enjoy myself on the field and whenever I get a chance – be it with the bat or ball – you have to pull the team up in any situation and win the game. “He told me to play with all my heart because you are representing the country. I have learnt a lot from Sarfaraz – right from how he bats to how he is always thinking about winning the game for his team, to how he builds his innings. “Even as he was knocking on the doors of the Indian team, his focus was always on scoring runs and on the process without worrying about the result. My focus too is on the process.”

His brother remains a big benchmark, but Musheer’s biggest source of inspiration – like almost every other cricketer hailing from Mumbai – is Sachin Tendulkar. That was evident during a standout moment against New Zealand when Musheer executed a remarkable upper-cut, prompting commentators to highlight the striking resemblance to the Little Master's influence. As Musheer continues to make a name for himself, he reflects on the beginnings of his journey, one that commenced at a tender age under the watchful eyes of his father.

“When I was younger, about 5-6 years old, my father would take me to the ground to play cricket,” he says. “Watching my brother play, I slowly started playing cricket "There have been so many challenges in my journey so far. Right from childhood, there's a very high level of competition, right from U14, U16 and now at U19." Musheer credits his father for helping him navigate through the tricky patches. "My father always told me to keep working hard,” he says. “The challenges never stop, and you have to accept that as you keep moving ahead.” Musheer has already played three first-class matches for Mumbai – something he said was the “turning point in my career so far” – and believes playing at the highest level in domestic cricket has helped him adapt strongly to the challenges that come with playing in a World Cup.

Throughout the conversation, a theme emerges: The 18-year-old is always quick to credit the coaches, and underline his commitment to the team’s cause rather than individual feats. "The support staff has backed us to play fearlessly right from the start and back our natural playing style," he says. “Another thing that has helped us is that we play for each other in the team. If someone has a bad day, we don't let it affect the player or the team. We are playing as a family and it shows on the field.” Despite delivering standout performances in the tournament so far – including two centuries that have put him atop the run charts – Musheer says he won’t be happy until the World Cup is won.

“I am happy with my performances but I won't be satisfied until we win the World Cup,” he says. “As far as being the highest run-getter, I don't really want to think about it. “Since the start of the tournament, it was only about winning the World Cup and that's what we are focussing on. I only want to do well for the team and take the results as they come. “It would give us great happiness to bring the World Cup to India. But we know that it won't come easily, and that we still have to work very hard to get our hands on the title.” As the tournament enters a crucial phase, Musheer’s confidence is unwavering, despite the chance of facing a team that will be buoyed by home support.

“There is no nervousness,” he says. “We view the semi-final as just another match, just as we did in the league stages and Super Six. We are not taking extra pressure. “We are just looking to stick to our roles in the team, focusing on the process and the results will come. "It's [about being defending champions] there at the back of our minds, that we have to win the World Cup, but we don't let that get to us. “We are preparing to the best of our abilities. We are taking this as a normal match and trying to give our best.” It’s Musheer’s immediate dream to win this tournament. But the dreams go beyond that. Typically, he remains grounded, thanks to another piece of advice from his father.

“There is a lot to achieve but my father has always told me to work hard and don't think far too much about the future,” he says. “He tells me to stay in the present and focus on the upcoming matches. “When we think too much about the past or the future, we forget to be in the moment. That's what our team is doing too.” Profound words from a scintillating prospect.
 
Today's fixture in the ICC U19 World Cup 2024:

India U19 vs South Africa U19, Semi-Final 1 (08:00 AM GMT)
 
Today's fixture in the ICC U19 World Cup 2024:

Pakistan U19 vs Australia U19, Semi-Final 2 (08:00 AM GMT)
 
So, it will be a final between India U19 and Australia U19, and India has a chance to take revenge for the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 final.
 
Aus doesn’t have batting depth as they already collapsed 2/3 times in batting department however their bowling is the 2nd best in this worldcup just behind Pak bowling attack but I think it will be easy victory for India U19
 
Mapaka threat dealt with. Now Straker threat. `It is hard to know who clicks who doesn't in Indian side. Australia looked immature at times in the semi final. They could have been run out many times. So many misunderstanding. India has their own set of immature players.
 
What a speech of bowling it was from the Aussie Quick.Proved to be a man army against Pakistan U19 in the ICC U19 Semi final.

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U19 Cricket World Cup Player of the Tournament shortlist announced

There have been many standout performers at this year's edition of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup and the race to be named Player of the Tournament has been narrowed down to eight players.

Kwena Maphaka (South Africa)

21 wickets @ 9.71

The record-breaking South Africa pacer has been one of the standout quicks at the tournament, with his 21 scalps just one short of the tournament record set by Bangladesh's Enamul Haque Jr in 2014.

Maphaka did claim a record of his own with the 17-year-old becoming the first player to collect a trio of five-wicket hauls at a single edition of the tournament.

Ubaid Shah (Pakistan)

18 wickets @ 12.38

Pakistan's pace spearhead has been a model of consistency at the tournament with at least two wickets in every group match, highlighted by a sensational five-wicket haul against Bangladesh that catapulted his side into the semi-finals.

The younger brother of Pakistan international Naseem Shah bowls with super pace and has caused opposition batters plenty of headaches with his ability to generate movement with the new ball.

Saumy Pandey (India)

17 wickets @ 8.47

The left-armer has been a key for India during their unbeaten run at the tournament, with his ability to quell the scoring rate of opposition sides a clear standout.

Pandey's miserly economy rate of 2.44 is the best of all bowlers at the tournament with more than five wickets and the spinner has a trio of four-wicket hauls as a result.

Musheer Khan (India)


338 runs @ 67.60

The right-hander is the only player at the U19 World Cup 2024 to have scored two centuries at the tournament, with his best innings coming against New Zealand when he smashed an impressive 131.

Some handy wickets with his left-arm spin have shown the all-round class of Musheer as he has played a major role in helping India to the knockout stages of the event.

Jewel Andrew (West Indies)

207 runs @ 69

Andrew set the tournament alight with a superb 130 in his side's opening fixture against hosts South Africa, but the West Indies dasher has more strings to his bow judged on his contributions in other matches.

The wicket-keeper-batter stroked a match-winning unbeaten 64 in the West Indies' successful run chase against Scotland and has collected five catches and a stumping in a standout role behind the stumps.

Hugh Weibgen
(Australia)

256 runs @ 51.2

The Australia captain has been in imperious form for most of the U19 World Cup and his tremendous 120 in a crucial Super Six clash against England on a tough pitch was among the best individual innings of the tournament.

Weibgen showed his class to power the Aussies to a match-winning score on that occasion and has adjusted his game well in other matches to show his excellent batting prowess.

Uday Saharan (India)

389 runs @ 64.83

The India captain has improved his output the longer the tournament has progressed, with his match-winning 81 in the semi-final against South Africa proving crucial in his side's progression to the title decider.

Saharan also contributed a century during India's Super Sixes clash with Nepal and has been able to adjust the way he plays depending on the conditions he has faced throughout the tournament.

Steve Stolk (South Africa)

228 runs @ 38

The hard-hitter from South Africa finished the tournament with the best strike-rate (141.61) of any player, with his finest innings coming against Scotland when he smashed eight sixes on his way to 86 from just 37 deliveries.

Stolk smashed a total of 31 fours and 11 sixes at the event and played a major role in helping the Proteas to the knockout stages.

ICC
 
The final of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 will see India and Australia compete for silverware once again following a scintillating round of semi-final fixtures.

India confirmed their spot in the final after beating hosts South Africa by two wickets in a tense matchup on Tuesday. Chasing 245 for victory, India battled back from 32 for four to seal a memorable win thanks to a brilliant match-winning partnership between Sachin Dhas and captain Uday Saharan.

Thursday’s second semi-final also provided no shortage of drama, as Australia emerged victorious over Pakistan by one wicket in the final over of the contest. Having bowled out Pakistan for a seemingly below par total of 179, Australia stuttered in their chase before their middle and lower order formed crucial partnerships to help them edge home in thrilling fashion.
The highly anticipated final between the two sides will be hosted on Sunday 11 February at Willowmoore Park, Benoni, the same venue that staged both semi-finals, with the action commencing at 10h00 local time (SAST).

India and Australia both head into the final undefeated, having topped their respective groups in both the initial stage and the Super Six stage, and can boast some of the most exciting young talent on the planet. Among the future stars that have impressed throughout the competition are skippers Uday Saharan of India and Hugh Weibgen of Australia, and both have their sights firmly set on lifting the coveted trophy on Sunday.

Speaking ahead of the final, India captain, Uday Saharan said: “As we approach the World Cup final, we carry the dreams of a billion hearts on our shoulders. Our journey has been a testament to our hard work, unity, and love for the game.
“In this final battle, we aim to create a legacy that inspires the next generation. It's not just a game; it's a chance to etch our names in history.

“Right from our first game, we have played with passion, determination, and a belief that we will get the coveted title home. In the final, against Australia, it is going to be no different as we go one step closer to defending the title successfully. Together, as one team, one nation, we march into the final, ready to seize our moment and make India proud.

“As a captain, I couldn’t have asked for anything more from my team as we stand at the cusp of creating history.”
Australia captain, Hugh Weibgen: “We're really pleased to have made it through to the final after a close game against Pakistan and we can't wait to take on India in Sunday's final.

“The whole squad has done a terrific job throughout the tournament, and it would mean so much to us as a group to lift the trophy on Sunday. This is an opportunity to make our coaches as well as family and friends extremely proud. They have helped and supported us along the journey.

“India have obviously also had an outstanding tournament so far and are a class team. We're expecting they will provide a challenge for us, and we are looking forward to it.” These sides have met twice before in an ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup final, with India having won on both previous occasions in 2012 and 2018.

Match Official appointments for Sunday’s final have also been confirmed, with Allahudien Palekar and Langton Rusere selected as the on-field umpires. Rashid Riaz will assume the role of TV umpire, with Roland Black acting as fourth umpire and Shaid Wadvalla as Match Referee.

Fans in Benoni wanting to see the U19 Men’s CWC 2024 champions being crowned can do so for free at Sunday’s final. The on-field action will be accompanied by a vibrant festival atmosphere, with live music and entertainment offer
 
The final of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 will see India and Australia compete for silverware once again following a scintillating round of semi-final fixtures.

India confirmed their spot in the final after beating hosts South Africa by two wickets in a tense matchup on Tuesday. Chasing 245 for victory, India battled back from 32 for four to seal a memorable win thanks to a brilliant match-winning partnership between Sachin Dhas and captain Uday Saharan.

Thursday’s second semi-final also provided no shortage of drama, as Australia emerged victorious over Pakistan by one wicket in the final over of the contest. Having bowled out Pakistan for a seemingly below par total of 179, Australia stuttered in their chase before their middle and lower order formed crucial partnerships to help them edge home in thrilling fashion.
The highly anticipated final between the two sides will be hosted on Sunday 11 February at Willowmoore Park, Benoni, the same venue that staged both semi-finals, with the action commencing at 10h00 local time (SAST).

India and Australia both head into the final undefeated, having topped their respective groups in both the initial stage and the Super Six stage, and can boast some of the most exciting young talent on the planet. Among the future stars that have impressed throughout the competition are skippers Uday Saharan of India and Hugh Weibgen of Australia, and both have their sights firmly set on lifting the coveted trophy on Sunday.

Speaking ahead of the final, India captain, Uday Saharan said: “As we approach the World Cup final, we carry the dreams of a billion hearts on our shoulders. Our journey has been a testament to our hard work, unity, and love for the game.
“In this final battle, we aim to create a legacy that inspires the next generation. It's not just a game; it's a chance to etch our names in history.

“Right from our first game, we have played with passion, determination, and a belief that we will get the coveted title home. In the final, against Australia, it is going to be no different as we go one step closer to defending the title successfully. Together, as one team, one nation, we march into the final, ready to seize our moment and make India proud.

“As a captain, I couldn’t have asked for anything more from my team as we stand at the cusp of creating history.”
Australia captain, Hugh Weibgen: “We're really pleased to have made it through to the final after a close game against Pakistan and we can't wait to take on India in Sunday's final.

“The whole squad has done a terrific job throughout the tournament, and it would mean so much to us as a group to lift the trophy on Sunday. This is an opportunity to make our coaches as well as family and friends extremely proud. They have helped and supported us along the journey.

“India have obviously also had an outstanding tournament so far and are a class team. We're expecting they will provide a challenge for us, and we are looking forward to it.” These sides have met twice before in an ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup final, with India having won on both previous occasions in 2012 and 2018.

Match Official appointments for Sunday’s final have also been confirmed, with Allahudien Palekar and Langton Rusere selected as the on-field umpires. Rashid Riaz will assume the role of TV umpire, with Roland Black acting as fourth umpire and Shaid Wadvalla as Match Referee.

Fans in Benoni wanting to see the U19 Men’s CWC 2024 champions being crowned can do so for free at Sunday’s final. The on-field action will be accompanied by a vibrant festival atmosphere, with live music and entertainment offer

I expect Aussies to beat India just like it happened in 2023 WC.
 
I expect Aussies to beat India just like it happened in 2023 WC.
That will be the first time AUstralia beating India in an U19 WC final. Lost the two previous encounters. India is the underdog here though. So i expect them to lose.
 
U19 Cricket World Cup Player of the Tournament shortlist announced

There have been many standout performers at this year's edition of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup and the race to be named Player of the Tournament has been narrowed down to eight players.

Kwena Maphaka (South Africa)

21 wickets @ 9.71

The record-breaking South Africa pacer has been one of the standout quicks at the tournament, with his 21 scalps just one short of the tournament record set by Bangladesh's Enamul Haque Jr in 2014.

Maphaka did claim a record of his own with the 17-year-old becoming the first player to collect a trio of five-wicket hauls at a single edition of the tournament.

Ubaid Shah (Pakistan)

18 wickets @ 12.38

Pakistan's pace spearhead has been a model of consistency at the tournament with at least two wickets in every group match, highlighted by a sensational five-wicket haul against Bangladesh that catapulted his side into the semi-finals.

The younger brother of Pakistan international Naseem Shah bowls with super pace and has caused opposition batters plenty of headaches with his ability to generate movement with the new ball.

Saumy Pandey (India)

17 wickets @ 8.47

The left-armer has been a key for India during their unbeaten run at the tournament, with his ability to quell the scoring rate of opposition sides a clear standout.

Pandey's miserly economy rate of 2.44 is the best of all bowlers at the tournament with more than five wickets and the spinner has a trio of four-wicket hauls as a result.

Musheer Khan (India)

338 runs @ 67.60

The right-hander is the only player at the U19 World Cup 2024 to have scored two centuries at the tournament, with his best innings coming against New Zealand when he smashed an impressive 131.

Some handy wickets with his left-arm spin have shown the all-round class of Musheer as he has played a major role in helping India to the knockout stages of the event.

Jewel Andrew (West Indies)

207 runs @ 69

Andrew set the tournament alight with a superb 130 in his side's opening fixture against hosts South Africa, but the West Indies dasher has more strings to his bow judged on his contributions in other matches.

The wicket-keeper-batter stroked a match-winning unbeaten 64 in the West Indies' successful run chase against Scotland and has collected five catches and a stumping in a standout role behind the stumps.

Hugh Weibgen (Australia)

256 runs @ 51.2

The Australia captain has been in imperious form for most of the U19 World Cup and his tremendous 120 in a crucial Super Six clash against England on a tough pitch was among the best individual innings of the tournament.

Weibgen showed his class to power the Aussies to a match-winning score on that occasion and has adjusted his game well in other matches to show his excellent batting prowess.

Uday Saharan (India)

389 runs @ 64.83

The India captain has improved his output the longer the tournament has progressed, with his match-winning 81 in the semi-final against South Africa proving crucial in his side's progression to the title decider.

Saharan also contributed a century during India's Super Sixes clash with Nepal and has been able to adjust the way he plays depending on the conditions he has faced throughout the tournament.

Steve Stolk (South Africa)

228 runs @ 38

The hard-hitter from South Africa finished the tournament with the best strike-rate (141.61) of any player, with his finest innings coming against Scotland when he smashed eight sixes on his way to 86 from just 37 deliveries.

Stolk smashed a total of 31 fours and 11 sixes at the event and played a major role in helping the Proteas to the knockout stages.

ICC
I think Maphaka should be the player of the tournament. He was brilliant.
 
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I think Maphaka should be the player of the tournament. He was brilliant.
One of Maphaka or musheer khan should be the guy here to win this title. Musheer was brilliant with the bat and 2 back to back hundred is not a small thing that too in the World Cups. Kwena was unplayable with the ball, South Africa missed the trick in the semi-final game by not bowling him at a crucial stage.
 
Match Details:

  • Teams: India vs Australia
  • Date: February 11th, 2024
  • Time: 8:00 AM GMT (2:00 PM PST)
  • Venue: Sahara Park Willowmoore, Benoni, South Africa
  • Live Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar (India), ICC.tv (globally)
 
Today's fixture and the final one in the ICC U19 World Cup:

India U19 vs Australia U19, Final (08:00AM GMT)
 
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The 2022 Indian batch was a good team rather than a great group of individuals. Nobody was a stand-out player. But as a team, they were quite brilliant. A lot of capable all-rounders. They crushed everyone in sight. Current batch is not that good a side. So i don't expect much. In bouncier conditions Australia is always going to have an upper hand.
 
This time Pakistan was the favorite to secure its third title but unfortunately luck was not on their side.

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ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 Team of the Tournament revealed

11 of the best performers from the U19 World Cup 2024 form the Team of the Tournament.

Finalists India and Australia dominate the Team of the Tournament, with seven players featuring from the two sides.

Leading run-scorer and India captain Uday Saharan, Musheer Khan, Sachin Dhas and Saumy Pandey are all included in the team. For the champions Australia, captain Hugh Weibgen, Harry Dixon and Callum Vidler made the cut.

Lhuan-dré Pretorius (South Africa)

287 runs in 6 matches, 8 catches

Lhaun-dre Pretorius of South Africa showcased his versatility in every aspect of the game during the tournament. Not only did he open the batting for the Proteas, but he also excelled as a wicketkeeper and contributed with the ball when needed.
Teaming up with Steve Stolk, Pretorius formed a dangerous opening partnership that gained momentum as the tournament progressed. Despite initial struggles to convert starts in the first three games, he finished the tournament on a high note, scoring three half-centuries, including a crucial one in the semi-final against India.
He finished the World Cup with 287 runs in six matches, the most by any Protea batter in the tournament.
Pretorius ended the World Cup as the top run-scorer for South Africa, amassing 287 runs in six matches. Additionally, claimed 8 catches behind the stumps and in a commendable display of adaptability, the 17-year-old filled in as a bowler when Juan James was injured in the opening game, delivering a solid nine-over spell to compensate for the overs.

Harry Dixon (Australia)

309 runs in 7 matches

A solid presence at the top of the title-winning Australian team, Harry Dixon not only made consistent contributions throughout the tournament but also stepped up when it mattered the most.
Dixon kicked off the tournament with an impressive knock of 89, earning him the Player of the Match against Zimbabwe. He continued his consistent form with scores of 49 and 53 on challenging tracks in Kimberley.
As the stakes heightened in the knockout stages, Dixon showcased his mettle, playing a pivotal role in Australia's success. In the low-scoring semi-final against Pakistan, he top-scored with a crucial 50. In the final clash against India, Dixon contributed significantly with a vital 42, establishing a crucial 78-run partnership with his captain after an early breakthrough.

⁠Musheer Khan (India)

360 runs and 7 wickets in 7 matches

An ace for India both with the bat and ball, Musheer Khan emerged as one of the most exciting prospects in the U19 World Cup.

Musheer was the only player to score more than one century in the tournament with tons against Ireland and New Zealand, helping him to the second spot in the highest run-scorers' list with 360 runs.
Though he couldn’t make an impact with the bat in the semi-final and final, he proved to be a vital asset by picking up three wickets in the two games and finishing with seven wickets in total.

Musheer Khan's ton helped him win the Player of the Match award against Ireland

Hugh Weibgen (Australia)

304 runs in 7 matches

Hugh Weibgen led Australia by example, both with the bat and as captain, steering them to their fourth U19 World Cup title.
Weibgen started the tournament with a fifty against Zimbabwe and continued his stellar form with a Player of the Match-winning century against arch-rivals England.

After a couple of quiet games, Weibgen rose to the occasion in the final, contributing a crucial 48 that laid the foundation to put up a formidable and ultimately match-winning total of 253.

Weibgen also earned praise for his tactical acumen, including brave team changes as well as the decision to bat first in overcast conditions in the final.

Uday Saharan (India)

397 runs in 7 matches

Uday Saharan, the tournament's leading run-scorer, stood as the cornerstone of India's batting lineup, guiding them to the final of the U19 World Cup 2024.

Throughout the competition, Saharan displayed remarkable consistency with the bat, with the 8 runs in the final being his sole single-digit score.

His campaign began with consecutive fifties against Bangladesh and Ireland, followed by a couple of thirties in subsequent matches. Notably, in the final Super Six game against Nepal, Saharan showcased his prowess by notching a brilliant century.

During this innings, he partnered with Sachin Dhas to establish a record 215-run partnership, the highest for any wicket for India in U19 World Cup history.

The dynamic duo once again played a crucial role in the semi-final, with Saharan contributing a match-winning 81, guiding the team towards a memorable victory.

Sachin Dhas (India)

303 runs in 7 matches

Sachin Dhas, another promising talent emerging from the U19 World Cup for India, demonstrated exceptional composure and impressive strokeplay, adapting to various situations with ease.

Initially positioned lower down the order in the opening games, Dhas played crucial unbeaten cameos against Bangladesh and Ireland.

His opportunity to bat higher up the order came in the final Super Six game against Nepal, and Dhas seized the moment, crafting a magnificent 116 as he forged a record partnership with captain Saharan.

Dhas continued his fine form into the semi-final, contributing to a vital 171-run partnership with the captain. Showcasing the ability to deliver under pressure, he emerged as the highest scorer with 96, narrowly missing out on a well-deserved century against South Africa.

Nathan Edward (West Indies)

11 wickets and 101 runs in 5 matches

Lending balance to the team of the tournament with his pace bowling and handy batting is Nathan Edward.

Edward consistently made an impact with the ball, never going wicket-less in any of the games throughout the tournament.
Additionally, his batting skills were instrumental in the Windies’ memorable campaign where he played the finisher's role to perfection, most notably guiding his team to victories against Scotland and England.

A defining moment for Edward was the game against England, where he first demonstrated his bowling prowess by recording figures of 3/28, restricting them to a total of 192.

In the challenging chase, Edward entered the batting lineup at 98/5 and strung crucial partnerships with captain Stephan Pascal and Tarrique Edward. This collective effort propelled the Windies to a thrilling victory with just two wickets to spare, marking Nathan Edward's finest hour in the tournament.

Nathan Edward won the Player of the Match award for his 3/28 and 49*.

Callum Vidler (Australia)

14 wickets in 6 matches

Silently leading the Australian pace attack, Callum Vidler emerged as a formidable threat to the opposition throughout the tournament.
His U19 World Cup campaign began with an impressive display, securing two four-wicket hauls and a three-for in the first three games. Although he picked up only three wickets in the subsequent three matches, Vidler's unwavering consistency in holding one end tight proved invaluable. His ability to build pressure became a key element, setting the stage for his fellow bowlers to capitalize on the opposition's vulnerability, especially in the semi-final and the final.

Australian fast bowler Callum Vidler promises to unleash at the tournament

Ubaid Shah (Pakistan)

18 wickets in 6 matches

Ubaid Shah, brother of international star Naseem Shah, virtually carried the Pakistan bowling attack on his shoulders throughout the tournament, delivering standout performances when the team needed him the most.
Consistently among the wickets in every game, Ubaid made a fiery start with a four-for against Afghanistan in the opening match. However, his pinnacle moment came in a crucial virtual quarter-final against Bangladesh.
In this decisive match, Ubaid's exceptional bowling skills shone as he claimed a stunning five-for, instrumental in defending a total of 155. This remarkable effort not only secured Pakistan's victory but also earned them a spot in the semi-final.


Kwena Maphaka (South Africa)

21 wickets in 6 matches

With an impressive tally of 21 wickets, three five-wicket hauls, and claiming the top spot as the highest wicket-taker, Kwena Maphaka stood as the undisputed choice for the Player of the Tournament.

Maphaka set the ball rolling with a fiery 5/38 in the opening match against West Indies. The other two five-fors came in the crucial Super Six encounters against Zimbabwe (5/34) and Sri Lanka (6/21).

In the semi-final against India, his opening and finishing spell almost won the game for South Africa, where he accounted for the wickets of Adarsh Singh early on and later of Sachin Dhas and Aravelly Avanish.

Finishing with 28 wickets in total, including seven wickets in the previous edition, the left-arm pacer is currently the joint-highest wicket-taker in U19 World Cup history, tied with Zimbabwe Wessley Madhevere.

Saumy Pandey (India)

18 wickets in 7 matches

Finishing the tournament as the joint second-highest wicket-taker, Saumy Pandey weaved his magic at the U19 World Cup with his left-arm spin.

Pandey started the tournament with a four-wicket haul against Bangladesh and followed it up with a three-for against Ireland.

Pandey then brought his A-game to the Super Sixes, bagging four-wicket hauls against New Zealand and Nepal.

Pandey’s struggles in the knockout stages coincided with the two games where India were pushed to the limits. Though India managed to win against South Africa, they fell short against Australia.

12th man: Jamie Dunk (Scotland)

263 runs in 4 games

Despite Scotland's early exit from the group stage, Jamie Dunk left a notable mark, finishing as the 8th-highest run-scorer in the tournament with an impressive tally of 263 runs in just four matches.

Dunk's consistency stood out in the four games, where he achieved three scores of 50 or more. Even in his lowest-scoring match, the opening game against England, Dunk managed to contribute significantly with a score of 40.
 
Finalists dominate leading run-scorers, wicket-takers at U19 World Cup

Finalists Australia and India dominate the top 10 lists for batters and bowlers, while the Pakistan skipper leads the way for wicket-keepers.

Two of Australia's title winning stars finished among the top 10 for total runs at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024, while runners up India had four players.

Australia opener Harry Dixon (309) and skipper Hugh Weibgen (304) scored the third and fourth most runs at the tournament, with India captain Uday Saharan (397) overtaking teammate Musheer Khan (360) following his 81 in the semi-final against South Africa to finish as the leading run-scorer at the event.

Saharan and Musheer were two of four India players to finish inside the top 10, with compatriots Sachin Dhas (303 runs) and Adarsh Singh (238) joining their teammates near the top of the batting list.

South Africa, Pakistan, Scotland and Bangladesh all had one player each inside the top 10, with Lhuan-dre Pretorius (287), Shahzaib Khan (264), Jamie Dunk (263) and Ariful Islam (230) ending the tournament high up the batting charts.

Most runs at ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024
Player
Country
Runs
Uday Saharan​
India​
397​
Musheer Khan​
India​
360​
Harry Dixon​
Australia​
309​
Hugh Weibgen​
Australia​
304​
Sachin Dhas​
India​
303​
Lhuan-dre Pretorius​
South Africa​
287​
Shahzaib Khan​
Pakistan​
264​
Jamie Dunk​
Scotland​
263​
Adarsh Singh​
India​
238​
Ariful Islam​
Bangladesh​
230​

While South Africa pacer Kwena Maphaka (21 scalps) dominated the tournament and finished as the leading wicket-taker at the event, it was a similar story near the top of the bowling charts with a pair of Australia players and three India stars among the top 11 for wickets.

Australia pace duo Callum Vidler (14) and Tom Straker (13) finished high up the wicket-taking list, while India trio Saumy Pandey (18), Naman Tiwari (12) and Raj Limbani (11) were also within the top 11.

Pakistan quick Ubaid Shah completed an excellent tournament with a total of 18 scalps, while England spinner Tazeem Ali collected 14 wickets from just four matches to finish with the best average (9.64) of any player at the event.

Most wickets at ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024
Player
Country
Wickets
Kwena Maphaka​
South Africa​
21​
Saumy Pandey​
India​
18​
Ubaid Shah​
Pakistan​
18​
Tazeem Ali​
England​
14​
Callum Vidler​
Australia​
14​
Tom Straker​
Australia​
13​
Naman Tiwari​
India​
12​
Vishwa Lahiru​
Sri Lanka​
11​
Raj Limbani​
India​
11​
Nathan Edward​
West Indies​
11​
Riley Norton​
South Africa​
11​
Only two wicket-keepers completed 10 or more dismissals over the course of the event, with Pakistan captain Saad Baig finishing with a tournament-best 15 dismissals (14 catches and one stumping) from six matches.

Ryan Hunter was the only other keeper to collect 10 dismissals or more, with the Irish wicket-keeper completing eight catches and two stumpings from five appearances.

Most dismissals (wicket-keepers) at ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024
Player​
Country​
Dismissals​
Saad Baig​
Pakistan​
15 (14 catches & one stumping)​
Ryan Hunter​
Ireland​
10 (eight catches & two stumpings)​
Ashiqur Rahman Shibli​
Bangladesh​
9 (eight catches & one stumping)​
Ryan Hicks​
Australia​
9 (eight catches & one stumping)​
Lhuan-dre Pretorius​
South Africa​
8 (eight catches)​

ICC
 
We played the whole tournament with effectively 9 players and still almost win the Semi Final , Our team is definitely right there with the best.
 
Hey, cricket fans! Get ready for the T20 World Cup 2024, starting June 2nd! It's six weeks of non-stop excitement, with big hits, awesome catches, and thrilling matches.

What's Awesome:

  • 20 Amazing Teams: Watch powerhouse teams battle it out in the United States and the Caribbean for the T20 World Cup trophy.
  • Thrilling Stages:
    • Group Stage: Rivalries and unexpected heroes in two competitive groups.
    • Super 12 Stage: Top six teams fight for a spot in the epic final.
    • Knockout Stage: Brace for nail-biting semis and a grand finale.
  • Star Power: The best cricketers from around the world, both veterans and rising stars, will showcase their skills.
  • Fans Galore: Feel the energy with passionate fans cheering from every corner of the globe.
Extra Excitement:

  • USA Debut: The United States hosts for the first time, making the tournament even more special.
  • Caribbean Vibes: New venues and lively crowds in the Caribbean promise a unique experience for players and fans.
  • Cricket's Growth: The tournament highlights cricket's growth in the United States, inspiring a new generation of players and fans.
Don't miss out! Grab your tickets, call your crew, and get ready for the ultimate T20 cricket experience
 
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ANRICH NORTJE: THE LEGACY OF THE U19 MEN’S CWC 2024 IS THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO INSPIRE MORE FUTURE STARS FOR YEARS TO COME

The last few weeks, which I spent being the event ambassador for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, was an exhilarating experience, especially watching the young talent on show in this special tournament.

It was nerve-racking to do commentary and work behind the mic – I haven't been that nervous in a while – but it was great to see how everyone worked together to make it a successful production. I was immersed in the World Cup and I enjoyed every moment of it.

The tournament benefited enormously from a vibrant atmosphere at each of the five venues, and this will no doubt have helped bring the best out of the exceptional talent and formidable teams on display. Australia emerged as the deserving winners, but before delving into their triumph, it's essential to acknowledge how remarkable it is to organise such a significant event in such a short space of time.

It will have taken a huge amount of work and I must give a lot of credit to the ICC and Cricket South Africa for making this tournament successful with such little time to prepare.

While we saw glimpses of brilliance from players throughout the tournament, I think the two semi-finals summed up how close some of the top teams were. It was pleasing to see these youngsters playing fearless cricket under this amount of pressure in front of packed crowds.

It’s hard to imagine what must go through the minds of the young fans watching on. It will have no doubt been an inspirational experience for a 10-year-old child. After all, it could be a dream for them to one day represent their country on this stage, a stepping stone to making it to a higher level.

Being on the ground, you couldn’t help but notice how the fans streamed through the gates in big numbers. On the grass banks, you saw a lot of families, even on weekdays. It was great to have parents deciding to bring their kids along to witness the action.

South Africa is a place that loves sport, especially cricket. An event like this brings people together, and it creates memorable experiences for families to cherish for a long time.

When you see cricket happening in your country, in your own backyard rather than on TV, it just feels more realistic, more accessible. You see the young guys, you see the players, you see the opportunity that there is. And that makes it special. That's what the tournament is about.

On to the cricket itself, India and Australia were really impressive and deserved to be in the final. But, naturally, I always kept a close eye on South Africa, and I thought they were exceptional. Their semi-final against India was a high-quality game, and it could have gone either way. In all, the South African team can keep their head high – they were one of the top teams in the tournament, and they made all those fans who came down to watch them proud.

After those closely-fought semi-finals, the final was perhaps a bit one-sided, but you could see the quality in Australia. They were the team with the most all-round strength, and it showed, especially in the final when they needed a big team contribution. They had four different fast bowlers who all bowled well, a dependable captain, and different players who all stepped up at different stages of the tournament.

For instance, in the final, Harjas Singh contributed with the all-important half-century – he did not have the greatest of tournaments up until then, but he came good when it mattered. As a team, you don't want to be relying on one or two players. The whole team needs to contribute, and Australia had more players who they could rely on than the other semi-finalists. And that’s the mark of a good team.

As a fast bowler, I always keep a particularly keen eye on that discipline, and I came away very impressed with the pace-bowling on display in the tournament. Many pacers made an impression in the tournament, particularly the Australian attack – I thought they complemented each other well. I'm not going to put pressure on the players by naming who stood out to me, however. All these players still have a long way to go.

Make no mistake, playing in this World Cup would have been an invaluable experience for every player who turned out for their countries in the last few weeks. They’d have all learnt so many things; what you need to do at certain stages in matches, how you need to react when the pressure is on – these are things you can only learn from playing high-pressure tournaments.

I didn’t have that till much later in my journey as I didn't transition to the senior team through the U19 World Cup route. After not making the squad, I tried as hard as I could to reach every other level there was. And I was a better player for it when I finally got my breakthrough at senior level. That’s a valuable reminder to everyone – the work doesn’t stop. The journey has just begun.

It’s also, of course, important to savour the good moments. So I’d urge all the players to take some time to reflect on the last few weeks – it's a great honour and a massive step in your career to make the jump into an international U19 team. After that, just keep on doing what you've been doing. You don't have to change things to be the best version of yourself.

Keep on doing what you’ve been doing, and hopefully, I’ll play with and against some of you soon at international level.
 
Didn't catch much of this tournament. But I was really impressed by Ali Raza. He was the find of the tournament for me. I really hope we don't mess him up. Because man, he could be one heck of a talent. At this young age, he has already shown the glimpses of something special. And with that height, pace and that fighting spirit he very well could be.
 
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