The Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup is an international cricket tournament organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC), contested by national under-19 teams. First contested in 1988, as the Youth Cricket World Cup, it was not staged again until 1998. Since then, the World Cup has been held as a biennial event, organised by the ICC.
The inaugural event was titled the McDonald's Bicentennial Youth World Cup and was held in 1988 as part of the Australian Bicentenary celebrations. It took place in South Australia and Victoria. The first edition of the tournament had only eight participants, but every subsequent edition has included sixteen teams.
Among the full members, India have won the World Cup on a record five occasions, while Australia have won four times, Pakistan twice, and Bangladesh, England, South Africa and the West Indies once each.
The tournament began in 1988 and has seen seven different winners in the 14 editions so far. A new winner was guaranteed after two first-time finalists emerged.
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Early Tournaments and Memorable Moments
In 1998, the event was relaunched in South Africa as a biennial tournament. The only previous tournament of its kind was held ten years earlier. In addition to the nine Test-playing nations, there were teams from Bangladesh, Kenya, Scotland, Ireland, Denmark, Namibia and Papua New Guinea.
The teams were divided into four pools, named after Gavaskar, Sobers, Cowdrey and Bradman, and the top two sides from each progressed to two Super League pools, whose winners advanced to the final. In order to give everyone a decent amount of cricket, the non-qualifiers competed in a Plate League, won by Bangladesh, who beat West Indies in the final.
England were the unexpected winners of the second Under-19 World Cup in South Africa.
Best Moments from ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2024
The 2000 tournament was held in Sri Lanka, and replicated the format from 1998. Participating nations included the nine Test-playing nations, as well as Bangladesh, Kenya, Ireland, Namibia, Holland, Nepal and a combined team from the Americas development region. To the disappointment of a large crowd at Colombo's SSC, Sri Lanka fell at the final hurdle in a final dominated by India. The winners remained unbeaten throughout, and destroyed Australia by 170 runs in the semi-final to underline their supremacy.
The fourth Under-19 World Cup held in New Zealand only confirmed Australia's dominance of the game, and from their opening match, when they obliterated Kenya by 430 runs, through to their comprehensive victory over South Africa in the final, they were never threatened. Participating nations included the ten Test-playing nations, plus Canada, Kenya, Namibia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, and Scotland.
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Key Highlights from 2004 to 2010
The 2004 tournament was held in Bangladesh. More than 350,000 spectators saw the 54 matches played in the tournament. The finale ended with a close final between the two best teams - West Indies and Pakistan. It was won by Pakistan by 25 runs against West Indies and a 30,000 crowd acclaimed the victorious Pakistanis almost as their own.
The 2008 Under-19 Cricket World Cup was held in Malaysia from 17 February to 2 March 2008. Along with hosts, 15 other teams battled in 44 matches packed into 15 days across three cities. India under the leadership of Virat Kohli, after being bowled out for 159, emerged triumphant by 12 runs under the D/L method and were crowned champions for the second time.
The 2010 Under-19 Cricket World Cup was held in New Zealand in January 2010. The tournament was hosted in New Zealand after the ICC took it away from Kenya on the flimsiest of reasons which ridiculed its own to spread the game.
Recent Tournaments and Key Players
The 2016 Under-19 Cricket World Cup returned to Bangladesh. Finalists India showcased their supremacy throughout the tournament under the leadership of Priyam Garg. The 2016 Under-19 Cricket World Cup was held in Bangladesh. It was the eleventh edition of the Under-19 World Cup, and the second to be held in Bangladesh.
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The 2018 Under-19 Cricket World Cup was held in New Zealand. India defeated Australia by 8 wickets, with Manjot Kalra scoring a match-winning 101* under the captaincy of Prithvi Shaw .
The 2020 Under-19 Cricket World Cup was held in South Africa. The thirteenth edition of the Under-19 World Cup, and the second to be held in South Africa. The final was played between India and Bangladesh which Bangladesh won after defeating India by 3 wickets in the final match at Potchefstroom, South Africa, based on Duckworth Lewis Method on 9 Feb 2020.
South Africa U19 vs Sri Lanka U19
South Africa U19 and Sri Lanka U19 have faced each other in the Under-19 World Cup. One notable match is:
- South Africa U19 vs Sri Lanka U19, 35th Match, Super Six, Group 2 ICC Under 19 World Cup 2024, Senwes Park, Potchefstroom: South Africa U19 won by 119 runs.
Here's a summary of their recent encounters:
| Date | Match Details | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 26, 2024 | South Africa U19 vs Sri Lanka U19, 35th Match, Super Six, Group 2 ICC Under 19 World Cup 2024 | Senwes Park, Potchefstroom | South Africa U19 won by 119 runs |
Notable Players
Several players who participated in the Under-19 Cricket World Cup have gone on to become international stars. Notable international stars from the Class of 2000 include:
- Michael Clarke
- Mitchell Johnson
- Shane Watson
- Ian Bell
- Yuvraj Singh
- Niall O'Brien
- Brendon McCullum
- Graeme Smith
- Jonathan Trott
- Tatenda Taibu
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