ICC U19 Cricket World Cup is the biggest stage for young players to show their talent in and outside the country. The difference between U19 and the international level cricket is experience. U19 cricket is just for the young players while international cricket mostly depends on the experience. So, there is the differences among the teams in the U19 cricket is little, yet the infrastructure and level the teenagers are provided is not the same. Especially these differences are very much observed among the Test and non-Test playing nations, even in the U19 WC. That is the reason, till date, it is called an upset if any non-Test playing nation beat any Test playing nation (especially top 8 Test playing nation) in the U19 cricket.
Since the inaugural tournament in 1988, we observed some serious upsets in the U19 CWC.
Here are those matches:
Namibia vs Sri Lanka (2002): – It was the Group B match in 2002 U19 CWC between Namibia and Sri Lanka at Lincoln, New Zealand. In this Sri Lankan team, some good future cricketers had played like Farveez Maharoof, Jeevan Mendis, Upul Tharanga etc. After winning the toss, Sri Lanka elected to bat first. But the Sri Lankan batsmen failed against the Namibian bowlers except Jeevan Mendis who made 57 runs. As a result, Sri Lanka only managed 141 runs in 40.5 overs where extras were the second-highest (18) scorer. Namibian bowler Burton van Rooi picked up 4 wickets.
In reply, Namibian top order also collapsed cheaply. But two steady partnership for the 6th and 7th wicket laid a platform for an unforgettable win for the minnows by 4 wickets with 33 balls to spare. CF Steytler scored 43 runs while 4-wickets taker Rooi remained unbeaten at 29 runs. Rooi was selected for the man of the match award for his outstanding performances.
Nepal vs Pakistan (2002): – It was the Group C match in 2002 U19 CWC between Nepal and Pakistan at Lincoln, New Zealand. After winning the toss, Pakistan sent Nepal into the bat first. There were some big cricketers playing in that match for Pakistan like Salman Butt (Captain), Azhar Ali, Umar Gul etc. Nepal only managed 151 runs in the 48.5 overs while 42 from B Chalise was the highest individual score for the Nepal.
In reply, Pakistan batsmen failed to get the small target. Pakistan was all out for just 121 runs on the board as Nepal won that match by 30 runs. Almost every Nepal bowlers made a contribution in that win. B Chalise was the player of the match.
Nepal vs South Africa (2004): South Africa decided to bat first after winning the toss in their Group B match against Nepal at Chittagong Divisional Stadium, Bangladesh in 2004 ICC U19 CWC. The South African players, who were big stars in the future, were Roelof van der Merwe, Vernon Philander. South Africa only managed 156 runs (all-out) in 50 overs with the help of a brilliant half-century from Keagan Africa. Nepal bowler Manjeet Shrestha grabbed 4 wickets for just 15 runs.
Chasing a small total, Nepal lost wickets at regular intervals. However, Nepal skipper Shakti Gauchan made an unbeaten 51 runs to secure the match in very last over (49.4 overs) with just one wicket in hand. South Africa gave away 27 extras which was the joint second-highest scorer in the 2nd innings. Skipper Gauchan was awarded man of the match who also picked up 2 wickets apart from a match-winning knock.
Nepal vs South Africa (2006): In 2006 U19 WC, Nepal repeated the history once again. This time, they met at plate semi-final in Colombo (NCC), Sri Lanka. After winning the toss, Nepal elected to bat first. Dean Elgar, Craig Kieswetter etc. played for the Proteas team at that time. Nepal scored 214 runs in 50 overs for the loss of 8 wickets. Opener Kanishka Chaugai scored 59 runs in Nepal innings while Proteas bowler Malusi Siboto took 4 wickets.
In reply, South Africa moved very slowly towards the target. They failed 2 runs short from Nepal’s total while 5 wickets were still in hand. Elgar’s unbeaten 66 went in vain for just a little margin. Chaugai received the man of the match award.
Nepal vs New Zealand (2006): After beating South Africa in the plate semi-final, Nepal made another upset by beating New Zealand in the plate final match of 2006 U19 WC. Martin Guptill, Tim Southee were the future star cricketers for New Zealand in that WC. After winning the toss, New Zealand opted to bat first at Colombo (PSS), Sri Lanka. With the help of opener Todd Astle’s 66 runs knock, the Kiwi colts made 204 runs (all-out) in 49.2 overs. Nepali bowler Basant Regmi picked up 3 wickets in that innings.
Chasing 205 runs, Nepal batsmen were getting out at regular interval. Lower-order batsman Basant Regmi made 66 runs. In the last moments, Nepal held their nerve and a registered a thrilling victory in the plate final by just 1 wicket in hands with 2 balls to spare. Undoubtedly, Regmi was selected player of the match for his outstanding all-round performances.
Afghanistan vs Australia (2014): After winning the toss, Afghanistan colts decided to bat first against Australian colts in 2014 U19 WC at Abu Dhabi, UAE in the Group B encounter. After some good top-order batting performances, Afghanistan were all-out at 253 runs in 49.2 overs. 3 Afghanistan batsmen hit half-centuries while opener Mohammad Mujtaba (75) made highest score for the team.
In reply, regular wickets fell which made tougher for the Australian team to chase the total. Finally, Australia felt 36 runs short as they were bundled up for just 217 runs in 48 overs. Afghan bowler Abdullah Adil grabbed 4 wickets in that innings. Mujtaba received man of the match award in that match.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka (2014): It was the 7th place play-off match between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka in the 2014 U19 WC at Dubai, UAE. After winning the toss, Sri Lanka selected to bat first. Sri Lankan batsmen failed to put any fight against the Afghan bowlers. Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 114 runs in 34.3 overs.
In reply, Afghanistan reached that tiny target in 21.2 overs for the loss of 5 wickets. Afghanistan opener Usman Ghani (3/21 and 27 runs) was elected the man of the match award for his all-round performances.