The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced U19 World Cup Schedule. Defending champions India will begin title defence against Bangladesh on January 14 in Cololmbo. Five venues in Colombo set to stage the action from 13 January, with the Final on 4 February at R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium.
15th edition of the event will see the most exciting young talent in world cricket compete over 41 matches.
India U19 World Cup Schedule:
- January 14: Bangladesh vs India
- January 18: India vs USA
- January 20: India vs Ireland
Hosts Sri Lanka play Zimbabwe on opening day while defending champions India open up a day later against 2020 champions Bangladesh.
The match schedule for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 has been revealed as hosts Sri Lanka prepare to welcome the future stars of world cricket to the island nation for the first time since 2006.
ICC U19 World Cup Schedule
16 teams are set to compete for the silverware across 41 matches from 13 January to 4 February. The tournament will comprise the 11 best-placed full-member teams in the last U19 World Cup. Through regional qualification pathways – Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Scotland and USA have also made it.
U19 WC Venues:
- P Sara Oval
- Colombo Cricket Club
- Nondescripts Cricket Club
- Singhalese Sports Club
- R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium
The action starts on 13 January with three fixtures taking place on opening day. Hosts Sri Lanka take on Zimbabwe at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium. 2022 finalists England play Scotland while New Zealand face off against Nepal at the P Sara Oval.
Ahead of the event, each competing team will play two warm-up matches between 7 and 11 January. These will take place across four of the five tournament venues.
The hosts will be hoping to go one better than their previous best finish. They were runners-up to India at the Final of the competition back in 2000.
The landmark event has been the springboard for some of the most recognisable stars of the global game. Through the history of the event, India are the most decorated with five U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup titles. Australia have won the event three times while Pakistan have won twice. England, Bangladesh, South Africa and West Indies have each been crowned once.
Format changed
The format for the upcoming edition has been tweaked from the previous edition. In a revised format introduced for the upcoming edition, teams progressing from the group stages will enter a new Super Six stage, starting 24 January. Two groups of six teams will clash to determine the Semifinalists and the subsequent Finalists.
The teams will be divided into four groups, each consisting of four teams, but the top three teams from each group will now progress to the Super Six stage. Group stage matches will take place from 13 to 21 January.
Additionally, the fourth-placed teams in each group will compete in one more match against another fourth-placed team before concluding their tournament.
U19 World Cup Groups
In the group listings, holders India are joined by Bangladesh, Ireland and USA in Group A. Group B consists of England, South Africa, West Indies and Scotland. Group C features Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Namibia while Group D is made up of Afghanistan, Pakistan, New Zealand and Nepal.
| Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D |
| India | England | Australia | Afghanistan |
| Bangladesh | South Africa | Sri Lanka | Pakistan |
| Ireland | West Indies | Zimbabwe | New Zealand |
| USA | Scotland | Namibia | Nepal |
Editors pick
