The International Cricket Council (ICC) Board has officially named South Africa as the host nation for the upcoming 15th edition of the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup in January 2024.
The decision to relocate the event from Sri Lanka was made during the recent ICC Board meeting due to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) facing suspension for breaches in its obligations as an ICC Member.
The ICC’s concerns revolved around SLC’s failure to independently manage its operations without government interference. Despite the suspension threat, Sri Lanka has been granted the ability to participate in international cricket, both in bilateral matches and ICC events. However, the ICC will now oversee funding for SLC.
The U19 Cricket World Cup will follow the format introduced in the Women’s U19 T20 World Cup earlier this year, with a revised tournament structure. After the initial group stage, a new Super Six stage will determine the semi-finalists.
Sixteen teams are set to compete, with defending champion India placed in Group A alongside Bangladesh, Ireland, and the USA. Other notable groups include England, South Africa, the West Indies, and Scotland in Group B, and Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in Group C. Group D features Afghanistan, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Nepal.
The tournament, scheduled to commence in January, will consist of 41 matches, culminating in the final set to take place in February. Cricket enthusiasts can anticipate an exciting competition as India, alongside 15 other teams, vies for the coveted U19 Cricket World Cup title in South Africa.