One of the flagship events for budding cricketers, ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2018 will kickstart on January 13 and continue until February 3. It is the twelfth edition of the limited-overs tournament, which sees a participation of 16 nations segregated in four groups – A, B, C and D. By hosting this edition, New Zealand becomes the first country to organize the event three times. The schedule of U-19 Cricket World Cup 2018 lists down a total number of 48 matches in the round-robin and knockout formats. Defending champions West Indies will take on hosts, New Zealand in the opening day fixture along with another key match between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The complete timetable of Under-19 Cricket World Cup with date, match timings and venue details are announced by International Cricket Council (ICC).

Participating Cricket Teams and Group Details

A total number of 16 countries have sent their teams to participate in the mega competition. Ten sides taking part in the big event are full ICC members - New Zealand, Australia, West Indies, India, England, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. The next five teams, Afghanistan, Ireland, Canada, Papua New Guinea and Kenya made to the Cricket World Cup by winning their respective regional Under-19 tournaments. The 16th and final team participating in the tournament is Namibia, who earned their place by finishing as the best associate nation in the 2016 edition.

The 16 teams are divided into four groups – A, B, C and D. Host New Zealand, South Africa, reigning winners West Indies and Kenya are placed in Group A. Group B consist of two-time champions India, Australia, Zimbabwe and Papua New Guinea. Group C’s four teams are England, Bangladesh, Canada, Namibia. Meanwhile, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Ireland and Afghanistan form the Group D.

ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2018 Match and Venue Details

With 48 matches scheduled to take place over a period of 22 days, multiple matches will take place on a given day in four different cities – Christchurch, Queenstown, Tauranga and Whangarei. In fact, the opening day of the event will see as many as four matches played on January 13 - New Zealand vs Windies (Group A), Zimbabwe vs Papua New Guinea (Group B), Bangladesh vs Namibia (Group C) and Pakistan vs Afghanistan (Group D). Seven venues in four New Zealand cities are selected for the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2018. They Hagley Oval, Rangiora Oval, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln No. 3, John Davies Oval, Bay Oval and Cobham Oval.

ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2018 Timetable 

Team India at ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2018

Twice world champions, India will begin their campaign against arch-rivals, Australia on January 14, Sunday. Placed in Group B, the two sides will lock horns in the seventh match of the event at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. The Indian colts under the mentorship of the former batting great turned coach, Rahul Dravid are eager to put up an inspiring performance.

"We never played this tournament in my day. After 1988 they didn't hold the tournament for 10 years, so I've no exposure of playing and being part of this tournament. I tell a lot of these boys that I think it's a terrific opportunity for them to be a part of this tournament," Dravid, the current India U-19 coach had said in the lead up to the event.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 15, 2018 01:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).