The Charm of the U-19 World Cup

The U-19 World Cup has been one of the most enjoyable ICC events. For starters it is a 50 over tournament, a proper competition between bat and ball. There was talk previously of turning it in to a 20 over event or introducing a 20 over one as well, but thankfully logic prevailed and that didn’t go ahead as a wider range of skills and roles are catered for the longer the format of the game. The tournament is short and sharp being only a two week event with 10 televised fixtures and the competition is held every alternate year in order to give maximum chance for young cricketers flourishing through the ranks to play in the event during their ages of U-19 eligibility.

Unlike the World T20, it is officially and formally a World Cup event in some capacity. The official 50 over World Cup current format is a long predictable qualifying drag as it takes 42 games before the knock out stages with over half the teams progressing to the next round with 4 main sides and 3 lesser sides in each group and that too in an event that is effectively and eventually a 3 match knockout. The Champions Trophy has been terminated. There is great uncertainty about the future of the World Test Championship. Hence, the U-19 World Cup has a USP for all to enjoy. 

Firstly, I know there has been talk of U-19 cricket being difficult to compare with international cricket and the step up is a tough one with many influential people feeling that although U-19 cricket is fine in its own right, first class cricket or even List A domestic cricket is a closer step and better path to international cricket as Aakash Chopra has highlighted in the not too distant past. However, there is no doubting that world class cricketers that have played in the Under-19 World Cup tournament have gone on to play at the highest level soon after playing in the tournament. Virat Kohli skippered the 2008 Indian winning team in the U-19 World Cup in Malaysia that year and not long after was a permanent member of the Indian national side in the coloured uniform, as the most famous example. Kohli is not alone.

Michael Clarke played in the 2000 edition of the tournament as did Shane Watson and soon after made the transition to the top level. Yuvraj Singh was a leading name of the Indian team in the same tournament. Hashim Amla captained the South African side in the 2002 edition. Alastair Cook captained the England side in the 2004 edition and was awarded a Test cap 2 years later. Pujara and Rohit Sharma both featured in the Indian team in 2006 as did Ravi Jadeja. More recently, Ben Stokes and Joe Root represented England in the 2010 edition. Quinton De Kock was a graduate from the 2012 edition in Australia. It has clearly been a fast launching pad for some of the biggest names in the international game. Endless cricketers have gone on to play for their countries by initially participating or performing in the Youth World Cup. This will inevitably continue in the foreseeable future. 

If they are good enough, get them in. Bad habits and complacent attitudes can be developed by being stuck in the domestic circuit as Ian Chappell alluded to when asked on whether Unmukt Chand or Harmeet Singh were ready for the step up. The former Australian Captain felt that they would only get worse by being stuck plying their trade within the domestic scene for the aforementioned reasons. He did not agree one bit with the idea of a cautious approach, that they were too young and needed time to develop. 

Equally, many of the players will not make it and the U-19 World Cup will be the biggest stage they will play on in terms of national representation. The 2 week tournament will be the most memorable of their life. For example Tariq Mahmood who was being touted as ‘the next big thing’ in Pakistan’s spin bowling department after winning the 2004 U-19 World Cup in Bangladesh, but for a variety of reasons his career did not materialise as an unorthodox off spinner. Therefore, it is the biggest platform they will reach in some cases and that gives the tournament added significance for the players. It means a lot to the players and that’s most evident with Unmukt Chand recently writing a book on his journey to U-19 World Cup glory in Townsville.

Many of the players are playing in front of the cameras for the first time and how they handle the challenges and pressures that come with it is intriguing viewing. Quality coverage and commentary is provided by Star Cricket as with every ICC tournament event. Big names are present in the commentary box, too. For example Wasim Akram has commentated in the 2010 and 2012 edition. Ian Chappell commented in the 2012 edition. Asia’s most famous non playing cricketing celebrity in Harsha Bhogle confirmed through Twitter last month that he will be commentating in the forthcoming edition in the UAE. This can only be an incentive to perform for the players in the knowledge that big names are following them and will potentially sing their praises. 

It's most fascinating in assessing players we see for the first time and how far they may go in terms of a potential international career right up to Test level by first impressions judgement. This is a unique experience for the viewer or indeed the commentator. 

Minnows also have their chance at this level. Nepal instrumentally managed to finish the 2006 tournament as 3^rd place winners. Bangladesh finished in 7^th position in the 2012 edition, ahead of Pakistan. The fact that 5^th place and 9th  place encounters take place once a side has been eliminated much like Hockey tournaments give it greater opportunity for the less well known sides to make their mark. They have more to play for as opposed to just filling the numbers. Minnows are also strengthened with the fact that age limit is extended to 20 years of age for non ICC full members. We saw George Dockrell lead the Irish side in Australia 2012 as a result.

Another charm which this multinational carnival brings is low scoring games and low scoring thrillers. I'm always one who has preferred games where ball has dominance over bat. Seeing 180 all out play 140 all out as opposed to 320 being chased with 4 overs to spare. Seeing 220 chased in the final over rather than a team racking up 280 and the chasing side falling 10 short. Bowlers are not seen as servants and not anyone can make runs for fun. 

Registering a gritty enduring 50 in small scoring games against tight bowling is worth more than a ton in a high scoring run feast against lesser bowling. Batting is not as straightforward as power and innovation, hitting through the line with ease. There is a greater range of styles and roles welcomed to play such as the Sheet Anchor as opposed to just stroke makers and swaggers all the way down. It is a mini Test Match like we saw in majority of the games at last year's final ICC Champions Trophy as opposed to an elongated T20 like in India-Australia 7 match ODI rubber last year. Of course, the primary objective in limited over cricket for a batter is to make runs, but in small scoring games there is more methodology to it with batters building an innings and accumulating runs through survival and wicket preservation first. The scoring ranges and rates of these games are like Pakistan ODIs, mostly in the 160-240 range because of the strength in bowling and brittle nature of the batting; either chasing a score in that range or setting and defending it. It makes box office entertainment. Why are the games low scoring at U-19? 50 overs of batting is an art and a long time at this level for first generation T20 cricketers. 

Imperatively, the rules and regulations mirror international cricket. 2 new balls, 5 fielding in the circle at all times including non powerplay overs, batting powerplay enforced in the 36th over if not already taken. This best prepares the participating players for a taste of what is to come should they make it.  

Looking ahead to the coming weeks, it is the first time the UAE are hosting an ICC event outside qualifiers. Sami Aslam and Sanju Samson are the two names I have picked out to keep an eye out for. The Pakistan Captain Sami Aslam has the highest number of centuries and runs in Under 19 ODIs ever. Sanju Samson is well known through his exploits for the Royals in the Champions League final during Rahul Dravid’s final game of professional cricket. India are the current title holders and joint most successful in tally of titles for this championship. They recently won the U-19 Asia Cup in the UAE last month.

Pakistan on the other hand, have won 19 of their last 21 matches including 2 tri nations tournaments in different conditions, defeating their England counterparts in all eight games they contested in 2013. The tournament historically has been played 4 times in Asian conditions before with Pakistan and India sharing two titles each during the 4. Both of these sides have what it takes to go the distance and both can deservedly hold the tag of favourites going into the 10^th edition of the biggest teen sporting event or under age sporting event. Their form guide and familiarity with conditions make them the powerhouses.

16 days, 16 teams, 4 venues, 240 squad players. Many teams, yet still a short tournament with minimal venues used. This is what makes this event appealing, even if many of the players are unknown to you as a result of virtually any U-19 international coverage being shown outside this. But, on the plus side of that, quantity brings quality. The fact that we only get to see U-19 teams play after 2 years create greater interest. Yet another advantage of this underrated gem. 

By Abdullah Haider 

Abdullah is currently an LLB Student who likes to analyse and write on the game he follows with great enthusiasm. He has particular interest in the longer form of the game, England and Pakistan internationals and youth cricket. Whether it is discussing the game from a technical, mental, statistical or administrative viewpoint in the past or present, he is a keen follower of events in the cricketing world at a number of different levels let it be international, domestic or associates.