Key Players in 2014 U19 World Cup

Sami Aslam - Captain of Pakistan

There are many impressive performers in the Pakistan team worth highlighting let it be Zia ul Haq or Zafar Gohar but if you had to single out one; tough to look beyond the leader of the ship. Sami has the highest number of runs and centuries in U-19 one day internationals. He is an experienced member in the camp having already played a handful of first class games with impressive success. He was also a member of the 2012 U-19 World Cup team. The standout feature about Sami is his ability to deliver in the big games. He was player of the tournament during his first tour with the Pakistan U-19s in South Africa 2012. Later that year he was joint player of the final and player of the tournament at the U-19 Asia Cup. Last summer during his first tour of England he was player of the U-19 tri nations final at Trent Bridge. At the beginning of last month, Sami was named batsman of the tournament at the U-19 Asia Cup. Countless awards to his credit at the youth level. 

As a captain, he has led Pakistan to two tri nation competition wins and also led them to the final of the U-19 Asia Cup last month. He is not the most talkative type, but has a mature head on his shoulders, has performed outstandingly and with his experience, you can understand why the PCB heads opted to have him as captain. He's an attacking left handed opening batsman who has an appetite for big runs. He manages to command the respect of his team as captain by leading from the front and thriving with responsibility. Having scored productively in England and South Africa; never an easy proposition for a sub continental player and commenced his first class career with impressive numbers; the Pakistan Captain will be one to keep a close eye on. There is every chance he will join his countrymen Khalid Latif and Safraz Ahmed as U-19 World Cup winning captains. 

Ben Duckett - England

Like Sami, Ben also has previous U-19 World Cup experience which will come in handy, having been part of the 2012 edition in Queensland, Australia. In a recent interview, the Northamptonshire prospect mentioned how he was advising other members of the team about his experiences of playing in an U-19 World Cup such as playing in front of the cameras. Duckett is an innovative and inventive left handed batsman who is not the easiest to set a field against. There is a touch of Eoin Morgan to his play with his ability to score all around the field and hit the ball in unusual areas. He can also fulfill the wicket keeping duties. 

Ben was part of the Northants side which triumphed as underdogs on the Friends Life Twenty20 finals day at Edgbaston last year. Recently, Ben lost captaincy of the England U-19 side having led them last summer and was dropped from the team for the recent tour of the UAE on fitness grounds. Nonetheless, he mentioned how this made him more determined and it was perhaps just the wake up call he needed in his work ethic. Given the recent events surrounding him, Ben will have a point or two to prove in the Emirates.

Sanju Samson - India

Sanju is well known to followers of the IPL. He certainly proved his credentials and showcased his talent during the Champions League, especially in the final where he played thrillingly against the Mumbai Indians for an explosive 60 from 33 deliveries. More recently, he notched up a century in the final of the U-19 Asia Cup in a closely contested neighbourhood rivalry. Given his experience of playing against big players in well watched tournaments and his performances in those; Samson will undoubtedly be a pivotal member of the Indian side as they look to defend their world title. 

Samson has played first class cricket and registered 4 centuries to his credit. He comes across as someone who can adapt to the demands of the 3 different formats. Yet another precociously gifted top class batter from India? Who's to put it past him?