- Pakistan U19, led by Saad Baig, will play their opening match of the tournament on January 20 against Afghanistan U19.
- On January 24 and 27, respectively, they will play their next group matches against Nepal U19 and New Zealand U19.
The stage is set, the anthems are ready, and tomorrow, cricket fans around the world turn their gaze to South Africa as the 15th edition of the ICC U19 World Cup kicks off. Among the 16 nations vying for the coveted trophy is Pakistan, a team with a rich and storied history in the tournament.
As Saad Baig leads his young guns into battle against Afghanistan, it’s a fitting moment to take a nostalgic tour of Pakistan’s journey at the U19 World Cup. A journey marked by moments of breathtaking brilliance, agonizing defeats, and the emergence of future stars who later illuminated the senior stage. Here is a review of Pakistan’s history at the ICC U19 World Cup.
Pakistan’s record in the previous U19 World Cups
Throughout its 14 editions since its start in 1988, the competition has produced seven different champions. The Pakistan U-19 team won the championship twice, in 2004 and 2006.
1988-1998 U19 World Cup
Pakistan’s first foray into the U19 World Cup came in 1988, a time when the likes of Imran Khan and Javed Miandad ruled the cricketing world. While their debut campaign in Australia ended in the group stage, it laid the foundation for future success. The following tournament in 1990 saw Pakistan reach the semi-finals, with Bazid Khan and Shahid Afridi, both teenagers then, showcasing their prodigious talent.
2004-2006 U19 World Cup
The early 2000s witnessed the arrival of a golden generation, one destined to etch their names in Pakistan’s cricketing folklore. Led by the flamboyant Yasir Shah and the hard-hitting Kamran Akmal, Pakistan stormed into the 2004 final in Bangladesh, only to fall agonizingly short against India. Two years later, in Sri Lanka, redemption arrived. Under the astute leadership of Fawad Ahmed, a team boasting Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, and a young Mohammad Asif, lifted the trophy for the first time, defeating India in a thrilling final.
2008-2018 U19 World Cup
- The following decade proved to be a rollercoaster ride for Pakistan at the U19 World Cup.
- They reached the final again in 2008, losing to Sri Lanka, but failed to progress beyond the group stage in 2010 and 2012.
- The flashes of brilliance continued, with Babar Azam announcing his arrival on the world stage in 2012 with a scintillating century.
- In 2014, a young Hasan Ali impressed with his pace and swing, while Imam-ul-Haq’s consistent batting laid the foundation for another run to the final, where they once again faced India, this time emerging victorious.
- However, the next two editions saw inconsistent performances, with Pakistan failing to reach the knockout stages.
Hope Reawakened (2020-Present) U19 World Cup
The 2020 tournament in South Africa saw a resurgent Pakistan under Rohail Nazir reaching the semi-finals, with Naseem Shah’s raw pace capturing the imagination of fans worldwide. This momentum continued into the 2022 edition, where a team led by Qasim Akram finished fifth, with Haseebullah Khan emerging as the second-highest run-scorer of the tournament.
Final Words
As Saad Baig’s men prepare to begin their campaign against Afghanistan tomorrow, the history of the U19 World Cup serves as a source of inspiration for the young squad. They carry the hopes of a nation eager to witness another chapter of glory in Pakistan’s illustrious U19 journey. Whether they lift the trophy or not, their performances will be etched in the memories of fans, adding another layer to the rich tapestry of Pakistan’s U19 World Cup legacy.
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