ICC confirms 16 teams for U-19 WC, announces squads

International Cricket Council on Friday confirmed the participation of 16 teams in the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup beginning later this month by announcing their respective squads.

The 11th edition of the tournament will be held across eight venues in four Bangladesh cities from January 27 to February 14, and will feature nine Test playing countries as well as seven Associate and Affiliate Members.

The Associate and Affiliate Members are Afghanistan, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Namibia, Nepal and Scotland.

The warm-up matches will be played from January 22-25, the ICC said in a statement.

Australia had withdrawn from the U-19 World Cup due to concerns over security in Bangladesh and Ireland had taken their place.

The tournament will open with the match between defending champion South Africa and hosts Bangladesh at the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong and will culminate with the final at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

All matches will be day fixtures and will start at 0900 local time. The Super League semi-finals and final will have reserve days.

India, which has won the tournament thrice, has named three players who were part of the squad that finished fifth in the last edition in the UAE.

Defending champion South Africa, like England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, will be appearing with a completely fresh set of players.