Dubai: The eagerly awaited schedule for the upcoming 15th edition of the ICC U-19 Men’s World Cup 2024 has been unveiled. Sri Lanka, the gracious hosts, are gearing up to welcome the budding stars of world cricket to their shores for the first time since 2006.
A total of 16 teams will vie for the coveted silverware in an intense competition spanning 41 matches, scheduled to take place from January 13 to February 4. These teams comprise the 11 highest-ranked full member teams from the previous edition, along with five squads that secured their World Cup berths through rigorous qualification: Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Scotland, and the United States, as confirmed in an official statement released by the ICC.
The tournament’s inaugural day will witness Sri Lanka locking horns with Zimbabwe at the illustrious R. Premadasa Stadium, while England will take on Scotland at the historic Colombo Cricket Club. Additionally, New Zealand will square off against Nepal at the prestigious P. Sara Oval.
Reigning champions, India, will embark on their quest to defend their title when they meet Bangladesh on January 14 at the R. Premadasa Stadium, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
A noteworthy alteration to the tournament format introduces a Super Six stage for teams advancing from the group phases. This stage will commence on January 24, featuring two groups comprising six teams each, vying fiercely to determine the illustrious semi-finalists.
The group allocation has been strategically designed as follows: Group ‘A’ boasts the presence of cricketing powerhouses India and Bangladesh, alongside Ireland and the United States. In Group ‘B,’ cricket aficionados can anticipate intense clashes between England, South Africa, West Indies, and Scotland. Group ‘C’ showcases Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, while Group ‘D’ pits Afghanistan, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Nepal against each other.
The ICC U-19 Men’s World Cup 2024 promises to be a captivating showcase of youthful talent and international camaraderie, where the cricketing stars of tomorrow will shine on the global stage.
