Harare [Zimbabwe], November 19 (ANI): The ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup 2026 will kickstart from January 15, with five-time champions India set to tackle the USA, whereas hosts Zimbabwe play Scotland and debutants Tanzania tackle West Indies on the opening day.
The match, with the ultimate on February 6, will showcase the best up-and-coming expertise from the collaborating sides. The format will likely be just like earlier iterations, with 16 groups divided into teams of 4 within the first stage. 41 matches will likely be performed over 23 days, as per ICC. It will likely be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The defending champions, Australia, who beat India within the 2024 finals, will begin their marketing campaign towards Ireland on day two at Windhoek, Namibia.
This will likely be Tanzania’s match debut, whereas Japan, who had beforehand featured within the 2020 version, additionally return.
This will likely be adopted by the Super Six part, whereby the highest three-ranked sides from the teams as talked about earlier will likely be divided into two teams of six.
The knockout stage will observe, comprising two semi-finals and a remaining. Reserve days can be found for these three video games.
Harare Sports Club (Harare, Zimbabwe), Takashinga Sports Club (Harare), Queens Sports Club (Bulawayo, Zimbabwe), Namibia Cricket Ground (Windhoek, Namibia), and HP Oval (Windhoek) will host the occasion.
ICC Chairman, Jay Shah, stated he was trying ahead to the match, which can see the longer term stars of world cricket on show.
‘The ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup has lengthy been the cradle of greatness, a match that reveals not simply the subsequent era of cricketers, however the subsequent era of icons. From Brian Lara and Sanath Jayasuriya to Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith and Shubman Gill, the occasion has constantly formed the way forward for our sport.’
‘As we stay up for the 2026 version in Zimbabwe and Namibia, we’re excited to supply younger cricketers with a world-class platform that mirrors the requirements and pressures of senior worldwide cricket. This match is the place goals are ignited, rivalries are born, and the worldwide cricketing panorama begins to take its subsequent type.’
‘We are particularly happy to welcome Tanzania as they make their debut and be a part of a really international area of groups. I prolong my warmest needs to all collaborating squads as they embark on this exceptional journey, representing their international locations with pleasure and promise.’
The sides are as a consequence of arrive on 8 January and can play warm-ups from 9-14 January. Group A includes of probably the most profitable facet within the match’s historical past, India (5 titles), the 2020 winners Bangladesh, the USA, and New Zealand.
-Group B has co-hosts Zimbabwe, Pakistan, England, and Scotland.
-Group C includes the defending champions Australia, Ireland, Japan, and Sri Lanka.
-Group D has Tanzania, the West Indies, Afghanistan, and South Africa.
*Tournament schedule:
15 January, USA v India, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
15 January, Zimbabwe v Scotland, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
15 January, Tanzania v West Indies, HP Oval, Windhoek
16 January, Pakistan v England, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
16 January, Australia v Ireland, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
16 January, Afghanistan v South Africa, HP Oval, Windhoek
17 January, India v Bangladesh, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
17 January, Japan v Sri Lanka, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
18 January, New Zealand v USA, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
18 January, England v Zimbabwe, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
18 January, West Indies v Afghanistan, HP Oval, Windhoek
19 January, Pakistan v Scotland, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
19 January, Sri Lanka v Ireland, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
19 January, South Africa v Tanzania, HP Oval, Windhoek
20 January, Bangladesh v New Zealand, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
20 January, Australia v Japan, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
21 January, England v Scotland, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
21 January, Afghanistan v Tanzania, HP Oval, Windhoek
22 January, Zimbabwe v Pakistan, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
22 January, Ireland v Japan, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
22 January, West Indies v South Africa, HP Oval, Windhoek
23 January, Bangladesh v USA, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
23 January, Sri Lanka v Australia, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
24 January, India v New Zealand, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
24 January, A4 v D4, HP Oval, Windhoek
25 January, Super Six A1 v D3, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
25 January, Super Six D2 v A3, HP Oval, Windhoek
26 January, B4 v C4, Harare Sports Club, Harare
26 January, Super Six C1 v B2, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
26 January, Super Six D1 v A2, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
27 January, Super Six C2 v B3, Harare Sports Club, Harare
27 January, Super Six C3 v B1, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
28 January, Super Six, A1 v D2, Harare Sports Club, Harare
29 January, Super Six D3 v A2, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
30 January, Super Six D1 v A3, Harare Sports Club, Harare
30 January, Super Six B3 v C1, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
31 January, Super Six B2 v C3, Harare Sports Club, Harare
01 February, Super Six B1 v C2, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
03 February, First semi-final, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
04 February, Second semi-final, Harare Sports Club, Harare
06 February, Final, Harare Sports Club, Harare. (ANI)