Under 19 Asia Cup begins-by Michael Roberts
Source:Thuppahis
AS eight Under 19 teams of EIGHT countries battle each other at ABU DABHI beginning today, we look back at the 2022 competition via
SHRESTH SHAH’S REVIEW, IN ESPNCRICINFO … IN FEBRUARY 2022 WHERE THE TITLE READS THUS: “UNDER-19 WORLD CUP 2022: WYLLIE, DHULL, BREVIS AND WELLALAGE HEADLINE ESPNCRICINFO’S TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT
Our XI features four Indians but find out who else made the cut
India were the most dominant side in the 2022 Under-19 World Cup, but there were many from other teams as well who impressed with their talent and skills. Here’s who all made it to ESPNcricinfo’s Team of the Tournament.
1. Teague Wyllie (Australia)
With unbeaten scores of 86 and 101 in Australia’s wins in the group stage, Wyllie was his team’s anchor in chases against West Indies and Scotland. His 97-ball 71 against Pakistan in the quarter-final secured safe passage into the semis. The runs, however, dried up by the time the semi-final and third-place playoff came around, and the early contender for the tournament’s highest run-getter finished joint-fourth.
2. Haseebullah Khan (Pakistan, wicketkeeeper)
It was a slow rise to the top for the Pakistan opener who, after scoring 135 against Zimbabwe, could not put on a score for the next three games. However, after Pakistan lost the quarter-final, Haseebullah blossomed again with the bat, making 79 against Bangladesh and 136 against Sri Lanka to eventually finish as the tournament’s second-highest run-getter. A total of eight catches and two stumpings in six games also earns him the gloves.
It was a slow rise to the top for the Pakistan opener who, after scoring 135 against Zimbabwe, could not put on a score for the next three games. However, after Pakistan lost the quarter-final, Haseebullah blossomed again with the bat, making 79 against Bangladesh and 136 against Sri Lanka to eventually finish as the tournament’s second-highest run-getter. A total of eight catches and two stumpings in six games also earns him the gloves.
3. Dewald Brevis (South Africa)
The Player of the Tournament slides in at No. 3, having scored 506 runs in six games – the most in the history of a single U-19 World Cup edition. He could’ve finished with four centuries in six innings but missed out on two of them when he was out on 96 and 97 against Ireland and England respectively. Brevis was so dominant that he scored over 120 runs more than the second-placed Haseebullah. His legspin also earned him seven wickets.
The Player of the Tournament slides in at No. 3, having scored 506 runs in six games – the most in the history of a single U-19 World Cup edition. He could’ve finished with four centuries in six innings but missed out on two of them when he was out on 96 and 97 against Ireland and England respectively. Brevis was so dominant that he scored over 120 runs more than the second-placed Haseebullah. His legspin also earned him seven wickets.
4. Shaik Rasheed (India)
The India vice-captain makes the cut even though he missed two games. That’s because of his crucial contributions in key situations. Against South Africa, India were 11 for 2 in their opening fixture, but Rasheed began India’s recovery with 31. Then in the semi-final against Australia, he struck 94 in a similar situation with India losing both openers early. Against England in the final, it was his 50 in the chase that set the foundation for India’s four-wicket win.
The India vice-captain makes the cut even though he missed two games. That’s because of his crucial contributions in key situations. Against South Africa, India were 11 for 2 in their opening fixture, but Rasheed began India’s recovery with 31. Then in the semi-final against Australia, he struck 94 in a similar situation with India losing both openers early. Against England in the final, it was his 50 in the chase that set the foundation for India’s four-wicket win.
5. Yash Dhull (India, captain)
Like Rasheed, he also missed two games but was not short of impact. Against South Africa, his 82 dragged India to 232 which proved to be a winning total in the end. He also made an unbeaten 20 in the quarter-final when India suddenly went five down with the target still a few runs away. However, Dhull saved his best for the semi-final against Australia where his 110 was an innings that had composure and aggression in equal measure. He absorbed the pressure of a knock-out when India had lost their openers with not too many on the board. He will also wear the captain’s armband in this team.
Like Rasheed, he also missed two games but was not short of impact. Against South Africa, his 82 dragged India to 232 which proved to be a winning total in the end. He also made an unbeaten 20 in the quarter-final when India suddenly went five down with the target still a few runs away. However, Dhull saved his best for the semi-final against Australia where his 110 was an innings that had composure and aggression in equal measure. He absorbed the pressure of a knock-out when India had lost their openers with not too many on the board. He will also wear the captain’s armband in this team.
6. Dunith Wellalage (Sri Lanka)
A massive reason behind Sri Lanka’s sixth-place finish in the event was courtesy their captain’s all-round effort. His left-arm spin earned him five-fors in wins against Scotland and Australia, while his three-fors against West Indies and Afghanistan meant he finished as the highest wicket-taker of the competition with 17 wickets. With the bat, he struck 52 to take down Australia, made 113 against South Africa and notched up 40 against Pakistan.
A massive reason behind Sri Lanka’s sixth-place finish in the event was courtesy their captain’s all-round effort. His left-arm spin earned him five-fors in wins against Scotland and Australia, while his three-fors against West Indies and Afghanistan meant he finished as the highest wicket-taker of the competition with 17 wickets. With the bat, he struck 52 to take down Australia, made 113 against South Africa and notched up 40 against Pakistan.
7. Raj Bawa (India)
Before his heroics in the final – where he finished with the best bowling figures in the history of the U-19 World Cup finals – Bawa had two more standout games. He took 4 for 47 against South Africa in a game where he returned to take those wickets after being hit all over the ground in the first spell. Against Ireland, he made an important 42 from No. 3 when India were missing their regular captain and vice-captain because of Covid-19. He then posted the tournament’s highest individual score with an unbeaten 162 at a strike rate of 150. But he saved his best for last: 5 for 31 with the ball and 35 important runs with the bat.
Before his heroics in the final – where he finished with the best bowling figures in the history of the U-19 World Cup finals – Bawa had two more standout games. He took 4 for 47 against South Africa in a game where he returned to take those wickets after being hit all over the ground in the first spell. Against Ireland, he made an important 42 from No. 3 when India were missing their regular captain and vice-captain because of Covid-19. He then posted the tournament’s highest individual score with an unbeaten 162 at a strike rate of 150. But he saved his best for last: 5 for 31 with the ball and 35 important runs with the bat.
8. Vicky Ostwal (India)
The left-arm orthodox spinner showed metronomic accuracy and the skills to deceive batters not only off the pitch but also in the air. His economy of 3.63 squeezed his opponents and got important breakthroughs. It was his 5 for 28 against South Africa that ensured India could defend 232, while his 2 for 25 against Bangladesh and 3 for 42 against Australia in the knockouts ensured neither team could go past 200.
The left-arm orthodox spinner showed metronomic accuracy and the skills to deceive batters not only off the pitch but also in the air. His economy of 3.63 squeezed his opponents and got important breakthroughs. It was his 5 for 28 against South Africa that ensured India could defend 232, while his 2 for 25 against Bangladesh and 3 for 42 against Australia in the knockouts ensured neither team could go past 200.
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9. Awais Ali (Pakistan)
The right-arm seamer was Pakistan’s key wicket-taker through the event, taking 15 wickets – the third-highest in the competition. He also had the second-best figures – 6 for 56 against Zimbabwe. His three-for against Afghanistan was important in Pakistan’s quest to be group toppers. He went on to take 2 for 46 in the quarter-final defeat against Australia and 3 for 52 in the playoff game against Bangladesh.
The right-arm seamer was Pakistan’s key wicket-taker through the event, taking 15 wickets – the third-highest in the competition. He also had the second-best figures – 6 for 56 against Zimbabwe. His three-for against Afghanistan was important in Pakistan’s quest to be group toppers. He went on to take 2 for 46 in the quarter-final defeat against Australia and 3 for 52 in the playoff game against Bangladesh.
10. Joshua Boyden (England)
With 15 wickets at an average of 9.86, the left-arm swing bowler might have missed out on topping the wickets tally by two, but he was, by far, the most impressive bowler of the tournament. He bowled nine maidens in all, offering control with the new ball. At the death, he had the skills to deliver accurate yorkers. His 4 for 16 against Bangladesh bowled them out for a sub-100 score, and Canada were no match for his skills when he finished with 4 for 44. He rattled South Africa’s openers in the quarter-final from where they could never recover.
With 15 wickets at an average of 9.86, the left-arm swing bowler might have missed out on topping the wickets tally by two, but he was, by far, the most impressive bowler of the tournament. He bowled nine maidens in all, offering control with the new ball. At the death, he had the skills to deliver accurate yorkers. His 4 for 16 against Bangladesh bowled them out for a sub-100 score, and Canada were no match for his skills when he finished with 4 for 44. He rattled South Africa’s openers in the quarter-final from where they could never recover.
11. Ripon Mondol (Bangladesh)
In a disappointing event for the 2020 champions, one bright spot was Mondol’s bowling. He started the competition with a fighting unbeaten 33 not out against England, but his primary skill came to the fore in the next two games, where he took 4 for 24 and 3 for 31. He impressed with a four-for against India in the quarter-final that for a brief moment left the eventual champions worried. He ended his tournament with Brevis’ wicket in his final playoff game.
In a disappointing event for the 2020 champions, one bright spot was Mondol’s bowling. He started the competition with a fighting unbeaten 33 not out against England, but his primary skill came to the fore in the next two games, where he took 4 for 24 and 3 for 31. He impressed with a four-for against India in the quarter-final that for a brief moment left the eventual champions worried. He ended his tournament with Brevis’ wicket in his final playoff game.
12th man: Tom Prest (England)
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