5 young players from 2016 U19 World Cup with the potential to become future stars

One of the most exciting prospects of cricket is to witness youngsters coming up the ranks and showcase their talents. The Under-19 World Cup provides them an apt opportunity to perform on the world stage.This year, the tournament turned out to be a huge success with West Indies lifting the trophy for the first time ever.Numerous cricketers from previous World Cups emerged and made it big on the international stage. Few of the names include Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Kagiso Rabada, Joe Root and Shikhar Dhawan.Plenty of players from the current lot as well have impressed the whole cricketing fraternity. Here are some of the finds of the tournament who have the potential to become the future stars.

#5 Rishabh Pant

Pant now holds the record for the fastest 50 in U19 cricket

The dashing left handed opening batsman and the wicket-keeper of the Indian U19 team had a great time in the World Cup. He scored the fastest ever half-century in U19 ODIs off just 18 balls.

In a group match against Nepal, he smashed 78 runs off just 24 balls which included 9 fours and 5 sixes. His superlative effort helped India chase the target of 170 runs in just 18.1 overs.

Another big innings from him came in the quarter-final against Namibia where he scored 111 runs off 96 balls. India managed to reach a massive score of 349 runs and won the match by 197 runs.

He ended up being India’s second highest run scorer with 267 runs in 6 matches. With the speculations of MS Dhoni’s retirement in the near future, the selectors would keep a keen eye on Pant’s progress.

#4 Jack Burnham

Burnham scored three centuries in the Under 19 World Cup 2016

The most prolific run-getter of the World Cup was the number 3 batsman from England, Jack Burnham. He finished as the leading run-scorer in the tournament with 420 runs in 6 matches with an astonishing average of 84.

He also became only the second player in history after Shikhar Dhawan to score 3 centuries in a single edition of the U19 World Cup.

Though England did not reach too far and ended up at the 6th spot, the biggest positive for them has to be the emergence of Jack Burnham. They would be hoping to see him produce the similar magic in the senior team sometime soon.

#3 Sarfaraz Khan

Sarfaraz scored 355 runs from 6 matches in the tournament

The most talked about player from the Indian U19 side before the tournament was Sarfaraz Khan. He had featured in the previous edition as well in 2014 in UAE. He has also played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL and caught everyone’s eye with his quick-fire cameos on a couple of occasions.

Going by his reputation, there were plenty of expectations from him. He did indeed live up to every single bit of it. He was India’s leading run-scorer with 355 runs in 6 matches.

He scored literally in every match and scored 5 half centuries in 6 innings. He was the pivot around which India’s innings rotated virtually every time.

Even in the final, he was the last man standing whereas all the others were falling like ninepins. He scored a half century and assisted India to a total of 145, which ensured that there could be some fight in the match.

#2 Mehidy Hassan

Hassan scored 242 runs in tournament and also picked up 12 wickets

The Bangladesh U19 captain was adjudged the player of the tournament. He was instrumental in Bangladesh’s success in the tournament. It was the first ever occasion that the nation reached the semi-final of a premier ICC event.

Playing at home, Bangladesh proved that they are an upcoming superpower in world cricket.

Hasan is the only player to feature in both, the top 10 leading run scorers and wicket takers of the tournament. He scored 242 runs with the bat and picked up 12 wickets in 6 matches.

With such all-round abilities, he could well become the next Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh.

#1 Alzarri Joseph

Joseph picked up three wickets in the all-important final of the World Cup

One of the most fascinating sights of the World Cup came from the bowling of Alzarri Joseph. He reminded the fans of the tall and fierce fast bowlers from the Caribbean of the 80s. He is tall, quick and hits the deck hard.

He produced the fastest delivery of the tournament with the speed-gun recording 143 KMPH. He is just 19 years old, and hence, it is certain that he is only going to get faster and better from here.

Ian Bishop reckons he needs to be put straight into the national squad so that he could learn the tricks of the trade early enough. With his raw pace and talent, he could become the leading bowler for West Indies.

He scalped 13 wickets in the 6 matches. He was the prime reason that West Indies achieved the ultimate glory. In the final against India, he dismissed the top 3 Indian batsmen, that never allowed the three-time champions to recover and they only managed a paltry score of 145.

West Indies would hope that with players like him, they could bring back the glory days of the past.