Image Source- ICC
The 2024 Men’s U-19 World Cup will begin on January 13
with hosts Sri Lanka playing Zimbabwe. The following day, India, the defending
champion, would face Bangladesh to start their campaign.
Over the course of 23 days, 41 matches will be
contested at five different locations in Colombo. The tournament’s opening
match, the semifinals on January 30 and February 1, and the championship game
on February 4 will all take place at the R Premadasa International Cricket
Stadium. The other locations include P Sara Oval, Colombo Cricket Club,
Nondescripts Cricket Club, and Sinhalese Sports Club.
The top 11 Full Member sides from the 2022 edition
have qualified directly, and five teams – Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand,
Scotland, and USA – have earned their spots through regional qualification
events.
“We are thrilled to see the competition return to
Sri Lanka for the first time since 2006,” Chris Tetley, ICC Head of
Events, said in a release. “Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson and
Angelo Mathews are some of the names that made their entrance onto the world
stage at this event, and we are certain to see this tradition continue as the
drama unfolds.”
“Sri Lanka is renowned for its passionate,
cricket-loving fans,” Samantha Dodanwela, Tournament Director, said,
“and we are looking forward to giving them the opportunity to watch some
of the most promising young cricketers in the world over 23 days of
competition.”
A new format has also been introduced by the ICC.
There will be 12 teams qualifying into the round as opposed to the previous
eight, and the 16 teams will initially be divided into four groups of four. The
top four teams from each of the two groups of six teams in the Super Six stage
advance to the semi-finals.
The top eight clubs formerly advanced to the Super
League, a knockout competition for the World Cup championship, while the bottom
eight teams competed for the Plate trophy.