U19 CWC: Stars from 2012-16
From the last three tournaments we might still not know who exactly will make it to the very top of the tree but there have been many notable performances which have shown glimpses of real star-quality.
The 2012 tournament, won by India, unearthed South Africa’s Quinton de Kock, who scored 284 runs throughout the tournament and has gone on to be regarded as one of the best wicket-keeper/batsmen in the world. Babar Azam also featured in his second U19 CWC, scoring an impressive 287 runs and going on to average around 50 in both ODIs and T20Is for Pakistan.
Bangladesh’s Anamul Haque led the tournament scoring, however, with 365 runs, although his side finished seventh. England’s Reece Topley topped the wicket-taking charts with 19 scalps, and has featured sporadically for England’s one-day sides since then.
Two years later, United Arab Emirates became the second non-Test playing nation to host the competition, which was won by South Africa. Their starlet Aiden Markram was named Player of the Tournament, scoring 370 runs including 66 not out in the final. He has since played in six Tests, averaging an impressive 52. Bangladesh’s Shadman Islam was the leading batsman, however, scoring 406 runs, although there was a familiar name in Chanderpaul, Shiv’s son Tagenarine, not too far behind.
The standout bowler was Sri Lanka's Anuk Fernando, who took 15 wickets but hasn't yet broken into the senior team. South Africa's Kagiso Rabada was the biggest revelation from 2014 though, as he took 14 wickets and now stands on 120 Test scalps, as well as sitting at No.2 in the MRF Tyres ICC Test Bowling Rankings. Also in the bowling ranks was Mustafizur Rahman, now Bangladesh's premier paceman.
Last time out, West Indies claimed their maiden U19 CWC crown in Bangladesh, defeating India in the final. Alzarri Joseph was the Windies’ star performer, taking 13 wickets – he has currently taken 15 for the Test side. Bangladesh’s Mehedi Hasan was named Player of the Tournament, however, steering his side to a third-place finish, with 242 runs and 12 wickets. Pakistan’s Shadab Khan also impressed with 11 wickets and has since impressed his his country's limited-overs sides.
As this year’s competition draws to an end, many other talents have put their name on the map. India’s Shubman Gill has impressed with 341 runs at an average of 170.5, although the Windies’ Alick Athanaze tops the charts with 418 runs. Qais Ahmad’s 14 wickets for Afhganistan have also drawn attention.
All these talents will be hoping they can follow some of the leading lights from past tournaments.