Stakes rising as Super Six fixtures confirmed for U19WC

The opening group stage of the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup has been completed, with a total of 12 teams progressing through to the Super Six phase.

The fixture for the Super Six phase has now been locked in, with reigning champions Australia, 2014 winners South Africa, 2016 victors West Indies and European side Ireland all in action on Sunday as the next stage of the tournament commences.

Those four teams are all placed in Group 1 for the Super Six phase alongside Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, with the top two sides at the completion of the stage to win a place in the knockout semi-finals.

Group 2 consists of India, England, Pakistan, Bangladesh, New Zealand and Zimbabwe, with the sides all taking across any points and net run rate they won against their fellow Super Six teams during the opening group stage.

That sees India and England take through four points to the Super Six phase in Group 2, while Australia and Afghanistan do similar in Group 1.

All teams will play a further two matches in the Super Six phase and the top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals.

Afghanistan's clash with Sri Lanka in Windhoek on January 26 will be crucial to the fortunes of the teams in Group 1, while India's contest with Pakistan on the final day of the Super Six phase on February 1 may well decide the last spot in the semi-finals.

The first semi-final will be held in Bulawayo on February 3, with the second semi-final to be played the following day in Harare.

The two semi-final winners will then face off in the tournament decider in Harare on February 6.