On November 21, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the relocation of the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 from Sri Lanka to South Africa.
Background on Sri Lanka’s Suspension
The decision was made during a meeting of the ICC Board, following the suspension of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). The ICC cited SLC’s failure to manage its affairs independently and without government interference as the reason for the suspension.
Implications for Sri Lanka Cricket
Despite the suspension, Sri Lanka retains the ability to compete internationally in both bilateral cricket and ICC events. However, the ICC will now control the funding provided to Sri Lanka Cricket.
U19 Event Shift to South Africa
As a consequence of the funding control, the hosting rights for the U19 event have been transferred to South Africa, the recent host of the Women’s U19 T20 World Cup.
Details of the 2024 ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup
The 2024 ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup is scheduled to take place in South Africa from January to February 2024, marking the fifteenth edition of the tournament. India, the defending champions, will face off against 15 other teams in this international limited-overs cricket competition.
Heading 6: Revised Format and Teams
A notable change in the tournament’s format is the introduction of a Super Six stage following the Group stage to determine the semi-finalists. The 16 participating teams are divided into four groups: A (India, Bangladesh, Ireland, USA), B (England, South Africa, West Indies, Scotland), C (Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Namibia), and D (Afghanistan, Pakistan, New Zealand, Nepal).
Historical Context
This edition of the U19 Men’s event marks the 15th installment, with India emerging as the champions in the previous tournament held in the West Indies in 2022, securing the title for the fifth time.
