ANTIGUA, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA - FEBRUARY 05: Players of India pose with the ICC U19 Men's World Cup Trophy following the ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup Final match between England and India at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on February 05, 2022 in Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
Sri Lanka has been grouped along with Australia, Zimbabwe and Namibia in the Under-19 Youth Cricket World Cup scheduled to start on January 19 in South Africa after the event was switched from the island over a ban imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Sixteen teams will contest the tournament.
While Sri Lanka is in group C, India the defending champions are in group A along with Bangladesh, Ireland and the USA.
England, South Africa, West Indies and Scotland are in group B while Afghanistan, Pakistan, New Zealand and Nepal are in group D.
A total of 41 matches will be played before the final on February 11 with a reserve day set aside for the final.
Three teams from each group will play in a second round from which the four semi finalists will be selected.
Sri Lanka is unlikely to enter the semi finals with a team that was beaten by the un-fancied United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday at the on-going Asia Cup.
In the 2022 Under-19 World Cup, Sri Lanka played against Pakistan in the fifth place play-off and were bowled out for 127 after conceding their opponents a total of 365 for 3.
Sri Lanka was led by Dunith Wellalage who finished as the highest wicket taker with 17 scalps and the current Under-19 team is devoid of any players with more potential than in 2022.
India, England, Australia and Afghanistan made it to the semi finals and India beat England in the final to win the championship.
