The 16th edition of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup is scheduled to commence on January 15 across co-hosts Zimbabwe and Namibia, with 16 international teams set to participate in the global competition.
According to International Cricket Council’s report today, the tournament will conclude with the final match on February 6. Australia enters the event as the defending champions, having defeated India in the 2024 final to secure their fourth title.
India remains the most successful nation in the tournament”s history, having lifted the trophy on five separate occasions. Pakistan is the only other team with multiple championships, recording back-to-back victories in 2004 and 2006. West Indies, South Africa, Bangladesh, and England have each claimed one title.
The competition”s format will see the 16 teams initially divided into four groups. The top three teams from each group will advance to a Super Six stage, while the fourth-placed teams will contest placement matches against each other.
For the Super Six stage, qualifiers from Groups A and D will merge into one group, and those from Groups B and C will form another. Teams will carry forward the points, wins, and net run-rate earned against other qualifying teams from their initial group.
In the Super Six, each team will play two matches against opponents from the corresponding group they did not face previously, based on their original group stage finishing position.
A total of 41 matches will be held across five venues. Zimbabwe will host 25 fixtures, including the semi-finals and the final, while Namibia will stage 16 games at two grounds in Windhoek.
In Zimbabwe, matches will be played at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, and at Harare Sports Club and Takashinga Sports Club in the capital. The semi-finals are scheduled for February 3 and 4 at Queens Sports Club and Harare Sports Club respectively, with the latter also hosting the final.
The tournament will begin with a match between India and the United States in Bulawayo on January 15. All 24 group stage matches are slated for a 9:30 am local time start.
In preparation for the main event, each team will participate in two warm-up fixtures between January 9 and January 14. These practice games will be held in Harare, Bulawayo, Windhoek, and Masvingo.
Each nation is required to name a 15-player squad. To date, 13 of the 16 participating countries have announced their official squads, with some rosters including players who featured in the 2024 edition. Any changes to the squads during the tournament require approval from the ICC Technical Committee.
Tickets for the event are now available for purchase, offering spectators the opportunity to watch the next generation of international cricketers.