India to launch ICC U19 World Cup title defence against former winner Pakistan

India won the U19 World Cup in 2012 and will starting their title defence in 2014 against Pakistan

India will open its ICC U19 Cricket World Cup title defence against traditional rival and two-time former champion Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS), Dubai Sports City, on 15 February 2014.

The tournament will be staged across seven venues in the UAE from 14 February to 1 March, and will also be participated in by Afghanistan, Canada, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Scotland and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) besides the 10 Full Members.

India, which also won the tournament under Mohammad Kaif and Virat Kohli in 2000 and 2008, respectively, defeated Pakistan by one-wicket in an enthralling semi-final before going on to beat Australia by six wickets in the 2012 final in Townsville, Australia.

In the 2010 event in New Zealand, Pakistan beat India in a last-ball thriller in the quarter-final in Lincoln. The two sides also met in the final of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2006 in Colombo where Pakistan defended a modest total of 110 to win by 39 runs.

In the 16-day tournament, 48 matches will be played across seven venues, which are: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi; Abu Dhabi Oval 1; Abu Dhabi Oval 2; Sharjah Cricket Stadium; Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai Sports City; ICC Academy Oval 1, Dubai, and ICC Academy Oval 2, Dubai.

On the opening day of the tournament on 14 February, four matches will be played, with 1998 winner England taking on the UAE at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi; Zimbabwe locking horns with Canada at Abu Dhabi Oval 1; New Zealand meeting Sri Lanka at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, and South Africa taking on the West Indies at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

The format of the competition is such that the 16 teams have been divided into four groups, with the top two teams progressing to the Super League quarter-finals, while the two bottom teams from each group qualify for the Plate Championship quarter-finals.

The four groups are:

Group A: India, Pakistan, Scotland, PNG

Group B: Australia, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Namibia

Group C: South Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Canada

Group D: New Zealand, England, Sri Lanka, UAE

ICC General Manager – Cricket, Mr Geoff Allardice, while announcing the groups and fixtures in Dubai, said: “The ICC U19 Cricket World Cup is a hugely important event for international teams and for the ICC, as it showcases the future stars of international cricket.

“The tournament has produced more than 40 Full Member players that have gone on to captain their side in international cricket in different formats – Brian Lara, Graeme Smith and Inzamam-ul-Haq, to name a few. The ICC U19 CWC gives the world’s best young cricketers a chance to test their skills in a truly global event.

“Teams will need to be at their best every day if they want to win the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup. We expect to see some spectacular cricket.”

Sri Lanka’s ODI captain Angelo Mathews played in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cups 2006 and 2008, and, reflecting on his time at these events said: “Having played in a couple of ICC U19 Cricket World Cups, I can tell you that this is the best stage for any raw talent to polish his skills and see if he’s worthy enough of progressing to the biggest stage of them all – international cricket at the senior level.

“The lessons that I learned in Bangladesh in 2004 and in Sri Lanka in 2006 have, in hindsight, been truly invaluable.

“I didn’t get to bat too much in Bangladesh in 2004, but did enjoy some success with the ball, especially against Zimbabwe in a group match, and that gave me the confidence to pursue greater heights, and told me I belonged in international cricket.

“A couple of years later, my all-round performance in four matches instilled the belief in me that I was ready for the big league. I boasted my team’s second highest average with the bat, 51, in the 2006 edition. And with the ball, I topped the averages at 17.66 and had an economy rate of 3.24. It was the confidence of that success that I carried through to the big league, and which went a long way in my journey towards donning national colours and eventually leading the senior side.”

Anwar Ali, who took five for 35 when Pakistan skittled India out for 71 in the 2006 final in Colombo, said: “Succeeding in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup gives upcoming players a tremendous boost, and raises their profile and standing.

“For us from Pakistan, doing well there, and especially against India, assures you of a place under the spotlight and in the radar of the selectors.

“I fondly remember my performance against India in the 2006 ICC U19 Cricket World Cup final in Colombo. Taking five for 35 there and playing a major role in landing my country the biggest U19 title there is in the world did a world of good to my confidence, and set me on my way to representing my country in the senior ranks.

“I dismissed a number of batsmen that currently play with distinction for India – the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja. I can almost relive all their dismissals as though they were happening right before my eyes now. My Man of the Match performance in the final is one of the highlights of my brief career.

“My message to all players who’ll take part in this tournament is to play hard, play fair and relish the experience – it is a truly memorable one, and will stay with you for as long as you live.”

The UAE tournament will be the 10th edition of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup since its inception in 1988. Australia won the tournament in 1988, 2002 and 2010, England was the champion in 1998, India held aloft the trophy in 2000, 2008 and 2012 and Pakistan was the winner in 2004 and 2006.

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