The U-19 Cricket World Cup tournament is all set to begin in New Zealand on January 13. The tournament will feature 16 teams, including India, Pakistan, West Indies, New Zealand and others. The teams would play 48 limited over games spread across four venues – Whangarei, Tauranga, Christchurch and Queenstown. The winners will be crowned in Tauranga on February 3.
The ICC U-19 World Cup officially got underway at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on January 7 with an impressive ceremony showcasing New Zealand’s culture. The ceremony was attended by representatives of all the 16 participating sides.
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U-19 Cricket World Cup has always been the turning point for many budding cricketers in the past. This event has produced some of the finest players in the past like Virat Kohli, Mitchell Marsh, Hashim Amla, Ross Taylor, Dwayne Bravo and Umar Gul among others.
This time around, several budding players would be looking to confirm their berths in the national side following their performance in the upcoming tournament. Players like Prithvi Shaw from India, Jason Sangha from Australia, Kaylum Boshier from New Zealand and others would be among the top contenders following their past performances.
Let’s have a look at young captains and their amazing stats:
Prithvi Shaw (India):
Known for setting a record of 546 runs from 330 balls when he played for Rizvi Springfield in a Harris Shield match, this teenage sensation from Mumbai will be leading the Indian side in the U-19 World Cup. In 2017-18 Ranji Trophy season, Shaw scored 5 First-Class centuries in 9 matches he played. Since his first-class debut against Tamil Nadu on January 1, 2017, Shaw scored 961 runs with an average of 56.52 and strike rate 73.63.
Indian U-19 Captain Prithvi Shaw
Kaylum Boshier (New Zealand):
All-rounder Kaylum Boshier, also a noted junior rugby player, will lead the 15-men New Zealand side in U-19 World Cup. In November last year, Boshier helped his team in qualifying for the semifinals after he struck a hundred for New Plymouth Old Boys in the final round of a one-day competition. Boshier has previously led Central District Under-17 and Under-19 sides at national tournaments.
Hasan Khan (Pakistan):
Left-arm orthodox spinner, Hasan Khan was named the captain of Pakistan 15-member squad. Born in 1998, he also represented Pakistan in 2016 under 19 World Cup, He grabbed the limelight when he picked up 2 wickets for 10 runs while playing for Questa Gladiators.
Hasan Khan was named the captain of Pakistan U-19 team
He was awarded the Man of the Match for his game-changing performance.
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Raynard van Tonder (South Africa):
On December 11 last year, South Africa announced that Right-hand batsman Raynard van Tonder will lead their side in the U-19 WC tournament. After making his debut in 2006, Raynard played 7 first-class matches in which he scored 218 runs with 1 fifty under his belt.
Raynard van Tonder U-19 South African captain
Jason Sangha (Australia):
Indian-origin Jason Sangha will lead U-19 Australia team in the World Cup. He made it to the headlines after he became the youngest cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar to score a first-class century against England at 18 years and 71 days. He scored the well deserving century against an attack led by England stars Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes.
Next up NSW Blue and Australian Under 19 captain Jason Sangha is the Under 19 World Cup in New Zealand _ pic.twitter.com/1BYJVCPuGa
— NSW Blues (@CricketNSWBlues) December 29, 2017
Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka)
Kamindu Mendis will lead Sri Lanka Under-19s at the World Cup in New Zealand. Kamindu can bowl orthodox left-arm spin as well as right-arm off-spin and is also a handy batsman.
Ambidextrous Sri Lankan all-rounder Kamindu Mendis arrives in New Zealand for the U19 Cricket World Cup with an immense sense of pride as he prepares to represent his country on the world stage __ #U19CWC pic.twitter.com/OWCK9zw4dR
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) January 8, 2018
Harry Brook (England):
The right-handed batsman who can also bowl right-arm medium pace, Harry Brook is the captain of the U-19 England cricket team. Following his batting style and class, he has been compared with England Test captain Joe Root. He is best known for the match-winning knock of 112 from 103 balls in the Second XI Trophy final against Middlesex.
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Emmanuel Stewart (Windies):
18-year-old from Meldrum Village in Grenada, Emmanuel Stewart is the captain of Windies U-19 squad. He made his List A debut for the West Indies Under-19s in 2016–17. Prior to his List A debut, he was named in the West Indies squad for the 2016 Under-19 cricket World Cup.
Liam Roche (Zimbabwe):
Right-arm off-break bowler, Liam Roche is the captain of Zimbabwe U-19 squad. He played his first first-class match for Mashonaland Eagles on November 21, 2017. In his debut, he picked up 3 wickets.
Liam Roche is the captain of Zimbabwe U-19 squad
Naveen-ul-Haq (Afghanistan):
18-year-old Naveen-ul-Haq, who bowls right-arm medium-fast, is the leader of U-19 Afghanistan team. He made his ODI debut for Afghanistan against Bangladesh on 25 September 2016. He was also a part of Afghanistan U-19 World Cup in 2016.
18-year-old Naveen-ul-Haq
The other captains are – Harry Tector ( Ireland), Lohandre Louwrens (`Namibia), Arslan Khan (Canada), Sachin Bhudia ( Kenya).
