Readers’ Forum

England, India favourites for Cup

The 2016 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup starts in Bangladesh from 27 January 2016. It will be the eleventh edition of the competition, and the second to be held in Bangladesh, after the 2004 event
Sixteen countries and regions will contest the World Cup, and all matches will be played under-19 One Day International (ODI) status. Ten teams qualified automatically for the tournament through their status as ICC full members, while five others qualified by winning regional qualifying events. The final place at the tournament was taken by the winner of the 2015 Under-19 World Cup Qualifier, which was contested by the runners-up at the five regional qualifiers.
The 16 nations and regions will be divided into four zones of four, with two from each group sailing into the quarterfinals.
On 5 January 2016, Cricket Australia announced the withdrawal of the Australian U19 squad, citing security concerns. This is a ridiculous decision, as Australia’s World Cup Football Team visited Bangladesh in December to play the World Cup qualifying match in Dhaka.
Ireland were invited as a replacement for Australia. On 6 January Cricket Ireland confirmed that Ireland would compete in the tournament.
Most of the critics, England and India are the two favouites of the cup, while Bangladesh can cruise into the semifinals.
Abdul Hamid Chowdhury
Pabna