ICC U-19 WCC, challenge for BD
The 2016 ICC Under-19 World Cricket Cup is an international limited overs cricket tournament to be held in Bangladesh from 22 January to 14 February 2016. It will be the eleventh edition of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup, and the second to be held in Bangladesh, after the 2004 event.
On 5 January 2016, Cricket Australia announced that the Australian U-19 squad had pulled out of the tournament, citing security concerns. Ireland were invited as a replacement for Australia. On January 6, Cricket Ireland confirmed that Ireland would compete in the tournament.
Sixteen nations are taking part in the tournament being hosted by favourites Bangladesh. They have been divided into four groups of four. The participants are England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, West Indies and Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Nepal, Namibia and Scotland.
Bangladesh, Namibia, Scotland and South Africa have been placed in Group A. The hosts will play their first match on January 27 enroute to the quarterfinals. Two teams from each group will proceed to the knock out stage i.e. quarterfinals. Champions Group A will take on Runners-up Group B, Champions Group B will play against Runners-up Group A, Champions Group C will clash with Runners-up Group D and Champions Group D will take on Runners-up Group C. Four winners will sail into the semifinals.
Since Afghanistan, Canada, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are in Group B, Bangladesh have a bright chance to cruise into the finals because from that group the last two named are favourites to fly to the last eight. We wish success of Bangladesh.
Abdullah Akber
Dhaka
