The International Cricket Council (ICC) revealed the schedule for the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 and Pakistan will start their campaign on January 15 against Afghanistan.
Five historic venues located in Colombo will stage the 15th edition of the celebrated event; the P. Sara Oval, Colombo Cricket Club, Nondescripts Cricket Club, Singhalese Sports Club and the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, the arena chosen to host both Semi Finals on 30 January and 1 February, and the Final on 4 February.
The action starts on January 13 with three fixtures taking place on opening day. Hosts Sri Lanka take on Zimbabwe at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, while 2022 finalists England play Scotland at Colombo Cricket Club and New Zealand face off against Nepal at the P. Sara Oval.
Sixteen teams are participating in the tournament with sides divided into groups of four.
Group A consists of champions India, Bangladesh, Ireland and the United States of America. England, South Africa, West Indies and Scotland are in Group B.
Group C consists of Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Namibia, whereas Pakistan, Afghanistan, New Zealand, and Nepal make up Group D.
Pakistan’s fixtures against Nepal and New Zealand are scheduled to be played on January 17 and 21 respectively.
Three sides from each group will qualify for the Super Six stage. The fourth-placed sides would go head-to-head against each other once before the world championships end.
The fourth-placed team from Group A would take on that from Group D, whereas the sides that finished last in Group B and Group C would face each other.
In the Super Six stage, the 12 qualified teams would get divided into two groups. Each side would play two matches against opponents from the corresponding group that qualified in other group-stage fixtures.
For example, the top-ranked team from Group A will take on the teams that finished in second and third position in Group D.
The top two sides from the two Super Six groups will contest the semi-finals. The winners of the fixtures play the final on February 4.
Pakistan’s schedule for ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024:
Monday, January 15: Pakistan v Afghanistan, P. Sara Oval
Wednesday, January 17: Nepal v Pakistan, P. Sara Oval
Sunday, January 21: Pakistan v New Zealand, P. Sara Oval
