In a significant development for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2024, a new format has been introduced, promising an exciting and competitive tournament set to unfold in South Africa. Originally slated to be hosted by Sri Lanka, the tournament’s hosting rights were reassigned to Cricket South Africa (CSA) after the International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board.
The revamped format divides the 16 participating teams into four groups: Group A, Group B, Group C, and Group D. Each group comprises four teams, with the top three teams from each group progressing to the Super Six stage. Adding an element of competitiveness, the fourth-placed teams in Group A and Group D will compete against each other, as will the fourth-placed teams from Group B and Group C, in the placement stage.
Moving into the Super Six stage, the top three teams from Group A and Group D will form one combined group, while the top three teams from Group B and Group C will constitute another. Each team will carry forward the points, wins, and net run rate (NRR) earned against their fellow Super Six qualifying teams.
During the Super Six stage, each team is scheduled to play two matches against opponents from the corresponding group that finished in a different group stage position. For example, the A1 team will face only D2 and D3 in the Super Six, maintaining a dynamic and challenging competition structure.
The culmination of the Super Six stage will see the top two teams from each group progressing to the highly anticipated semi-finals. The participating teams include host nation South Africa, automatic qualifiers Afghanistan, and teams like Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Zimbabwe. Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Scotland, and the United States are the regional qualifiers.
Nepal earned the distinction of becoming the first team to secure qualification through regional qualifications by defeating the United Arab Emirates in the Asia Qualifier. As the teams prepare for this revamped and competitive format, cricket enthusiasts around the world eagerly await the action-packed ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2024. The tournament promises not only to showcase emerging talent but also to provide a unique and thrilling cricketing spectacle on the global stage.
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