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The under-19 cricket World Cup is an opportunity for youngsters to showcase their talent. The 2018 edition was held in New Zealand where 16 teams competed against each other to win the prestigious title.
India ultimately outplayed Australia in the final to win the tournament for a record fourth time.
A lot of players have been impressive throughout the tournament but only a select few make the final XI. Let us take a look at the best XI from the U19 WC.
Openers
Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand)
New Zealand's aggressive opening batsman Rachin Ravindra was amongst the runs in this tournament. Rachin was in phenomenal touch and scored 233 runs in six innings at an average of 38.83 with a strike rate of nearly 90.
The 18-year-old also picked up 13 wickets, finishing at number four on the list of leading wicket-takers in the tournament. His best bowling figures of 4 for 32 came against South Africa U19.
Rachin's all-round exploits make him a natural choice for this team of the tournament.
Prithvi Shaw (India) (C)
Tournament winning skipper Prithvi Shaw etched his name in history by becoming the fourth Indian skipper to lead his side to glory in the U19 World Cup. Shaw will be the opener and the captain of our XI.
The youngster led his team brilliantly throughout the tournament and helped India clinch the title. Shaw scored 261 runs in five innings of the tournament at an average of 65.25. He ensured that his team got off to a good start in every game.
Shaw was consistent with scores of 94, 57*, 40,41 and 29, making him an obvious pick in this XI.
Middle Order
Shubman Gill (India)
India's number three batsman Shubman Gill is definitely a star in the making. The flamboyant batsman scored 372 runs in five innings of the tournament at a breathtaking average of 124. He batted with a marvellous strike rate of 112.38 as well.
Gill opened the innings against Zimbabwe U19 when the team was chasing a small target of around 140 and scored an unbeaten 90 to take his side through. The youngster was at his best throughout the tournament.
Raynard Van Tonder (South Africa)
South Africa's captain Raynard Van Tonder was their key in this under-19 World Cup. The classical South African batsman rescued his team from disastrous situations many times in this tournament.
Tonder scored 348 runs in six innings at a healthy average of 69.6 and despite coming in at crucial situations, his strike rate never dropped down.
Scoring at a rate of 94.31 per 100 balls, he helped South Africa score briskly.
Finn Allen (New Zealand) (WK)
Kiwi wicketkeeper Finn Allen started the tournament wonderfully. He scored a gutsy hundred in New Zealand's opening game against Windies U19. He was tremendous behind the stumps as well which makes him a natural choice for the wicketkeeper spot in our team.
Allen scored 338 runs at an average of 67.6 with a magnificent strike rate of about 120 in the tournament. The 18-year-old is a safe bet behind the stumps and his immense contributions with the bat guarantee him a spot in this XI.
Alick Athanaze (West Indies)
Windies U19 team's Alick Athanaze batted at number six throughout the tournament and scored quick runs lower down the order. He was the leading run scorer of the tournament, amassing 418 runs in six innings at an average of 104.5 and maintained a strike rate of 95.
The 19-year-old scored two centuries in the tournament, his highest score of 116* came against the Kenya U19 side. Alick's ability to rotate the strike and score quickly makes him special.
Alick can roll his arm over as well and picked up three wickets in the WC.
Spinners
Anukul Roy (India)
Indian spinner Anukul Roy rattled plenty of batsmen with his slow left-arm orthodox bowling. He was the leading wicket-taker of the tournament with 14 wickets in six innings with the highlight of Roy's bowling being his impressive economy rate of 3.84.
The 19-year-old picked up a five-wicket haul against Papua New Guinea and 4 for 20 against Zimbabwe. Anukul scored some crucial runs against arch-rivals Pakistan in the semi-final encounter of the World Cup as well.
Qais Ahmad (Afghanistan)
Afghanistan's leg break bowler Qais Ahmad was one of the finds of the tournament and scalped 14 wickets in five innings. He started the tournament by picking three wickets against a strong Pakistan lineup.
The 17-year-old continued to make his impression by bowling wonderfully in the next few games. He rattled the New Zealand U19 side in the quarter-final to guarantee Afghanistan a spot in the semi-final.
He built pressure on the opposition with his brilliant economy rate of 3.84. Ahmad is an integral part of the team of the tournament alongside his spin partner Anukul.
Pacers
Kamlesh Nagarkoti (India)
India's latest fast bowling sensation Kamlesh Nagarkoti has grabbed quite a few eyeballs with his swashbuckling performance in this tournament. Nagarkoti picked up only nine wickets in six innings but his searing pace stood out.
Nagarkoti was impressive with the new ball and his ability to bowl yorkers in the death overs was a big plus for his team. His best figures of the tournament read 3-18, which came against Bangladesh.
The 18-year-old had an economy rate of 3.48 in six innings.
Faisal Jamkhandi(Canada)
Canada's fast bowler Faisal Jamkhandi picked up 14 wickets in six innings. Because he played the role of a wicket-taker for his team, the youngster ended up conceding a lot of runs.
His economy rate of 6.76 was a worrying sign for his team but he picked up wickets when other bowlers were putting pressure on the other end.
The 18-year-old is a perfect choice to go with economical bowlers like Anukul Roy and Qais Ahmad.
Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan)
Pakistan is famous for producing fast bowlers and Shaheen, who is known as the Mitchell Starc of Pakistan, picked 12 wickets in five innings.
His bowling average of about 14 was impressive and his economy rate of 3.61 is scintillating for a bowler who bowls in the power play and at the back end of the innings.
Shaheen is definitely a future prospect for Pakistan.
Other names which were considered:
Akash Gill(Canada)
Keagan Simmons(West Indies)
Jakob Bhula(New Zealand)
Shivam Mavi(India)
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