• Home
  • Writers Opinion
  • Under 19 World Cup 2026 Rising Stars From Associate Nations To Be In Focus During Mega Event

Under-19 World Cup 2026: Rising stars from associate nations to be in focus during mega event

Shreyasi

ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 [Source: X/@ICC]ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 [Source: X/@ICC]

The Under-19 Cricket World Cup offers a platform for young cricketers to showcase their talent and make a lasting impression on the global stage. This prestigious tournament brings together talented teenagers, many of whom are relatively unknown before the event. This year, it will be the same when the top 16 cricketing nations gather in Zimbabwe and Namibia to play the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026.

Along with the regular Test-playing nations, four associate nations will take part in the competition. The young athletes from those four nations will compete fiercely as the next generation stars of world cricket, each striving for the honour of lifting the Under-19 World Cup trophy.

Players from associate nations to watch at Under-19 World Cup 2026

Charlie Hara-Hinze (Japan)

Three of Japan’s Under-19 squad members hail from the same family- the Hara-Hinze brothers. The eldest of them, Charlie, is a key player for Japan, who has already impressed many with his all-around capabilities. Surprisingly, he has already played 29 T20 Internationals for Japan even before reaching the age of 18.

He claimed 33 wickets in those matches at an economy of 5.13, including a five-wicket haul. The Southpaw also delivered with the bat in hand at the age group level. He will play a significant role in the tournament for Japan to take them to the second round.

Manu Saraswat (Scotland)

Manu Saraswat played a crucial role in securing Scotland’s place in this year’s Under-19 World Cup. His 3-43 against the Netherlands was vital for Scotland, which eventually sealed their qualification. He registered another four-wicket haul in the tournament, along with two unbeaten fifties against Sweden and Jersey.

Saraswat’s all-round form would be vital for Scotland to battle it out against the hosts Zimbabwe, Pakistan, and England for a spot in the second round. Scotland will rely heavily on Saraswat as they are set to face a challenging group stage.

Amrinder Gill (USA)

The senior USA cricket team shocked everyone during the 2024 T20 World Cup by beating Pakistan and then qualifying for the Super-Eight stage, along with India, from Group A. Their youngsters would like to create a similar impact when they inaugurate the Under-19 World Cup this year against India on January 15.

Hopes are high around their dynamic captain, Amrinder Gill, who led from the front during the qualification phase. Gill started with a solid 76 against Canada, then scored a sublime century against Bermuda, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure, and finished the tournament as top scorer for his team in three out of six matches.

Laksh Bakrania (Tanzania)

Similar to Charlie Hara-Hinze, Laksh Bakrania also made his debut for the Tanzania national team in T20 Internationals. He has 20 wickets from 16 T20I matches and maintains an economy rate below six.

His standout performances were key to Tanzania’s maiden appearance in the ICC Under-19 World Cup. Thanks to his ‘Player-of-the-match’ performance against Nigeria in the final qualifier, Tanzania sealed their place in the tournament. Additionally, he scored two half-centuries earlier in the competition, highlighting his all-around abilities.