ICC announce the schedule for the U-19 World Cup

The 2018 Under 19 World Cup schedule has been announced by the International Cricket Council. In this tournament 16 teams will take part in the tournament, divided into 4 groups. India is clubbed with Australia, Zimbabwe and PNG. India starts the tournament against Australia on 14^th January at Tauranga Bay Oval. They will next play Zimbabwe and PNG on 16^th and 18^th January respectively at the same ground.

Hosts New Zealand, West Indies, South Africa and Kenya are placed in Group A. In Group C, Bangladesh, England, Nambia and Canada have been clubbed together. Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Ireland and Afghanistan complete the groups. The tournament starts on 13^th January and finishes on 3^rd February.

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On the first day four matches are scheduled to take place with Pakistan taking on Afghanistan, hosts New Zealand take on West Indies, Zimbabwe take on PNG and finally Bangladesh taking on Namibia. The matches will take place in four venues at Queenstown, Christchurch, Tauranga and Whangarei.

From each group, top two sides will qualify for the Super League. The eight teams who have not qualified for the next stage have to play in the plate championship. From 8^th-11^th January, the teams will play a few warm up games to become familiar with the conditions.

India lost to West Indies in the finals of Under 19 World 2016 held in Bangladesh. The current Indian Under 19 team is looking in great form. It seems to be an easy group. The semi-finals of the Super League will be held on 29^th and 30^th January. Out of the 44 matches, 20 matches will be telecasted that includes the quarter finals, semi-finals and finals of the Super League.

Group A: New Zealand, West Indies, South Africa, Kenya

Group B : India, Australia, Zimbabwe, PNG

Group C: Bangladesh, England, Canada, Namibia

Group D: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Ireland, Sri Lanka