Stage set for Under-19 World cup

Cricket’s finest young talent will be on display when the ICC U19 World Cup 2016 starts in Chittagong, Bangladesh, on Wednesday, 27 January, with South Africa opening their title defence against host Bangladesh and England facing Fiji. The Proteas and Bangladesh have locked horns four times before and on each occasion South Africa has come out on top. Also, South Africa are the defending Under-19 champion, a crown they won in 2014 in the United Arab Emirates. Bangladesh do have the home advantage with the game being played in Chittagong.

Lawrence Mahatlane, who took over the coaching duties of the Under-19 national team from Ray Jennings last year, was confident that he had the right squad to defend their title.

Starry-eyed teenagers drawn from nine Test-playing nations and seven Associate and Affiliate Members — Afghanistan, Canada, Fiji, Namibia, Nepal, Ireland and Scotland — will battle for supremacy in the 19-day event that will unveil the stars of the future.

Three-time winner India are coached by batting great Rahul Dravid and captained by wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan hails from Jharkhand, the same state as M.S. Dhoni. Kapil wishes Indian colts Good luck Former India captain and legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev on Tuesday wished good luck to the players taking part in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh, saying that this is an opportunity for them to “write their own destiny”. “Good luck to all the boys participating in the tournament. They can write their own destiny,” said Dev, who led India to victory in the 1983 World Cup.

“Many Test and one-day teams are going through a transition phase and the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup will enable them to take a look at the young players. We have seen so many young boys become men after this tournament,” added Dev.