The ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup has acted as the platform in which many greats of the game launched their careers, and the class of 2026 will be out to do the same.
Of the 16 teams taking part in the 16th edition of the tournament, four are ICC Associate Members, and here are four players to look out for:
Charles Hara-Hinze – Japan
The 17-year-old is one of three brothers in the Japan squad, joined by siblings Gabriel and Montgomery.
Charles has represented Japan’s senior team and made headlines in November when he took six wickets for four for Northern Suburbs during an Australian U17 grade clash against Western Suburbs in Queensland, helping dismiss the opposition for just seven. Hara-Hinze had scored 99 earlier in the match.
A bowling all-rounder, he lists his favourite cricketer as Ravi Jadeja.
Manu Saraswat – Scotland
Manu Saraswat produced a series of eye-catching performances during the Europe Qualifier as Scotland reached the U19 Men’s World Cup for the 11th time.
The all-rounder made two stylish unbeaten fifties, marshalling the chases during his side’s wins over Sweden and Jersey.
Figures of four for 43, also against Jersey, were his best of the Qualifier while his three for 43 against the Netherlands, in what was essentially a winner-takes-all clash, proved crucial in helping Scotland defend 237 and earn their place in Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Laksh Bakrania – Tanzania
Laksh Bakrania is an impressive slow left-armer who is more than capable of chipping in with the bat too.
Since making his T20I debut in 2024 against Mali, the 18-year-old has picked up 20 wickets in 16 appearances, with career best figures of four for six against Cameroon.
He played a key role in Tanzania’s qualification for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 for the very first time, smashing half centuries in wins over Uganda and Sierra Leone before producing a Player of the Match display against Nigeria.
Amrinder Gill – USA
Amrinder Gill led from the front for the USA during the Americas Qualifier, top scoring in three of his country’s six wins.
The opening batter compiled an excellent hundred against Bermuda, hitting 10 fours in his Player of the Match-winning knock.
A composed 76 during was the bedrock of the USA’s win over Canada to get their qualification campaign off to a great start, one that resulted in the Stars and Stripes earning a fourth U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup berth.
vortex
Sport Trivia: Apart from a team event bronze medal in 1992, Ghana won three other individual Olympic medals in the 20th century. These were all in the same event. Which event was this? Answer: Boxing. Ghanaian boxers won silver in Rome in 1960, bronze in Tokyo in 1964, and Munich in 1972.
Swedish Pixie
Some of the sports’ most loyal fans consider cricket their religion – and they have a god. His name is Sachin Tendulkar. Although there are cricketers with excellent numbers, Tendulkar’s fans may have a point. Over his 24-year long career, he has notched 34,357 runs, averaged 51.74 half-centuries in 664 international matches, and has achieved 100 centuries. This, along with his charisma, earned him the nickname, God of Cricket.