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The International Cricket Council (ICC) on December 11 announced the schedule for the Men's World Cup 2024. Defending champions India will start their campaign against arch-rivals Bangladesh on January 20 in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
The U19 World Cup will commence with Ireland taking on the USA at Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein. On the same day, hosts South Africa will lock horns with the West Indies. The 16-team mega event will be played at five venues. A total of 41 matches will be played from January 19 to February 11.
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India have been placed with Bangladesh, Ireland and the USA in Group A. The top three sides from each group will advance to the next stage. It will be followed by semi-finals and final at Willowmoore Park, Benoni.
This will be the third time South Africa will be hosting the Under-19 World Cup. The first time they hosted the event was in 1998 and most recently in 2020. The ICC Head of Events Chris Tetley said that it is fit to host another major event after hosting U19 Women's T20 World Cup.
“In the past 12 months we have seen South Africa successfully deliver two milestone events for the sport - the inaugural ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup last year, and the groundbreaking ICC Women’s T20 World Cup that immediately followed," Tetley said.
“The relocation of the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 to South Africa allows us the opportunity to build on this momentum and welcome the best young cricketers on the planet to five notable international venues."
The inaugural edition of the U19 World Cup was played in 1988 and was won by Australia. 10 years later, it was hosted in South Africa where England won the title. India won for the first time in 2000. India have won the tournament for a record five times. Australia have won it thrice whereas Pakistan have two title wins. South Africa, West Indies, and Bangladesh have won the trophy as well. The last time South Africa won the tournament was in 2014.
Before the U19 World Cup, the warm-ups will be played from January 13 to 17. Each team will play two warm-up matches. India will take on Australia and Sri Lanka on January 13 and 17 respectively.
ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Groups:
Group A: India, Bangladesh, Ireland, USA
Group B: England, South Africa, West Indies, Scotland
Group C: Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Namibia
Group D: Afghanistan, Pakistan, New Zealand, Nepal
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