U19 CWC: Stars from 2006

The sixth edition of the U19 CWC, which took place in Sri Lanka, went global, with USA taking part. It was one to cherish for Pakistan, as they won for a second successive time, overcoming arch-rivals India in the final.

Despite their loss, it was India whose squad went on to greater heights in the following years. Cheteshwar Pujara was Player of the Tournament, leading the batting statistics with 349 runs, while fans also got a first glimpse of Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja. Neither particularly showed their full potential, claiming four wickets apiece. Piyush Chawla, meanwhile, span his way to 13 wickets.

Australia’s David Warner put his name on the map, albeit not in the brash fashion cricket fans have come to know. He averaged 30.33 on his way to 91 runs in the tournament, as Australia convincingly lost to eventual winners Pakistan in the semi-final. Their line-up also featured Tom Cooper, Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Matthew Wade and Jackson Bird.

Across the Tasman Sea, New Zealand had a few bright sparks making strides at the 2006 event. Martin Guptill hit 103 runs and even claimed three scalps with his off-spin. Teammate Tim Southee made 112 runs alongside his five wickets.

England’s Moeen Ali scored 109 runs at the tournament and took three wickets, but the leading bowler was Australia’s Moises Henriques, who had also featured in the 2004 edition, with 16 victims, although the seamer has never quite kicked on for Australia since then.

Pakistan were all out for 109 in the final but, incredibly, defended it and won by 38 runs, largely thanks to a five-wicket-haul from Anwar Ali. The total remains the lowest winning-score in the final.