Dubai, Dec 6: India will face Afghanistan in the opening match of the ACC Men’s U-19 Asia Cup cricket tournament here on Friday.
Pakistan will play Nepal in the other match of the opening day. Arch-rivals India and Pakistan will face each other on Sunday.
Eight teams will compete for the top prize in the 50-over event which is being hosted by the Emirates Cricket Board.
The teams have been divided into two groups of four each. India, Afghanistan, Nepal and Pakistan are placed in Group A.
Bangladesh, Japan, Sri Lanka and hosts UAE feature in Pool B.
The top two teams from each of the two groups will progress to the semi-finals which will be played on December 15.The tournament final will be played at the Dubai International Stadium on December 17. All group matches and semi-finals will be played at the ICC Academy Ovals 1 and 2.
All tournament matches will begin at 9:30 am local time. India is the most successful team in the history of the tournament, having won eight titles.
The 2023 edition of the tournament is the first to feature eight teams.
The U-19 Asia Cup is a key stepping stone for young players, as many of the participants go on to represent their countries at the senior level. The tournament serves as a crucial platform for identifying and showcasing the best young cricketing talent from across Asia.
It provides a stage for promising players to demonstrate their skills and capabilities to scouts and selectors from national teams and franchises.
This exposure can be instrumental in propelling their careers to the next level and potentially lead to international recognition.
The U-19 Asia Cup acts as a crucial qualifier for the U-19 Cricket World Cup, a prestigious global event showcasing the best young cricketing talent from around the world.
Top performers from the U-19 Asia Cup often go on to represent their respective countries in the U-19 Cricket World Cup, gaining valuable international experience and competing against the best young players from other cricketing nations. (Agencies)
