The ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup began its journey in 1988 as the Youth Cricket World Cup. It was called the U19 World Cup after the second edition resumed after a decade, and ever since 1998, the tournament has been organised biennially.

Nepal’s journey in the U19 World Cup began in 2000 when the third edition was hosted by Sri Lanka. They then qualified for the event in four consecutive editions—2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008—and in 2012 and 2016. Their latest participation was in 2024 in South Africa.

In 2024, the 15th edition, Nepal had progressed to the Super 6 as the Top 3 teams in the preliminary group stage. Nepal had defeated Afghanistan by 1 wicket to reach the Super 6.

But now, Afghanistan will be a major challenger for Nepal as both teams are aiming to participate in the U19 World Cup for the ninth time.

Furthermore, Afghanistan, now a Test nation, defeated Nepal 2-1 in the three-game friendly series that concluded on April 9. Likewise, the other three participants—Hong Kong, Oman and the UAE—are also not taking the qualifiers lightly.

Speaking to the media at a press meet on Saturday, all five captains of the participating teams stressed that they were all determined to emerge as the victorious team and qualify for the World Cup.

Ready to upset each other

Among the participating teams, Nepal and Afghanistan have been to the U19 World Cup for the most number of times (eight each) while the UAE have made it thrice. Hong Kong have also played in the World Cup once, in 2010. Only Oman have not qualified for the tournament yet.

But Oman arrived in Nepal as one of the best prepared teams, aiming to upset the other four heavyweights and enter the World Cup for the first time in their history. “Our preparation has been good,” Rahil Habibulla, Oman’s captain, said in the captain’s press meet on Saturday. “We also got the chance to practice sufficiently with our senior players, including the captain and vice-captain.”

Habibulla also shared that the team was on a high after winning the Division 2 qualifiers and entering this tournament alongside Hong Kong. Oman and Hong Kong bested six other teams of Division 2 to meet the three Division 1 teams—Afghanistan, Nepal and the UAE—in the final qualifiers.

Similarly, Hong Kong also want to repeat their journey to the World Cup after around 15 years. “It is a very big tournament for young cricketers to show their talents,” said Hong Kong skipper Shiv Mathur. “We also had the chance to play at the same ground in December last year against Nepal while we also played with Malaysia later. We have prepared well.”

Hong Kong’s U19 had toured Nepal in December last year for a three-match one-day friendly series. Nepal clean-swept the series.

“The strength of our team is that we have been together for a long time, we have been playing since U11 and U13 levels. We might be underestimated, but we are ready to prove everybody wrong,” said Mathur.

Likewise, UAE skipper Prithvi Madhu said that his team's players have been together since the U16 level, and it was their strength as well. “We know each other well,” Madhu said. “I do not want to add pressure on them, but I hope they will play as they are in the training. We can win this.”

Afghanistan skipper Mahboob Khan, on the other hand, seemed the most confident as they defeated Nepal in the recent series and got enough time to understand the conditions of the venues to be used for the qualifiers.

“Our spinners are doing great and so is our batting order,” Khan said. “We will continue to give our best and progress to the next stage.”

Home soil advantage

Still, Nepali players would be the ones who will be on the field with the best understanding of the ground and the pitches. But as the team has a majority of new faces, there are concerns regarding whether the host could stand up against more experienced players.

“It is not going to be an issue,” Nepali skipper Naren Bhatta said. “We have had good training for around three months and it was enough to bond. I believe in my team and my players.”

Bhatta also informed that the squad was happy to be coached by former Nepali international Shakti Gauchan. “We are improving under one of Nepal’s legendary players,” Bhatta said. “We also have good spinners while the batting order are also giving their best.”

Good experience for fans

Addressing the captain’s meet, Paras Khadka, secretary of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), said that the fans would get the chance to see the game and cheer for the emerging stars on concrete seating at the Lower Mulpani.

“Tomorrow, as the qualifier kicks off, one more international-level cricketing venue, Lower Mulpani, will be added to our growing resources. The Upper Mulpani is also all set thanks to our ground staff,” Khadka said. “Two games simultaneously on two grounds is a big achievement.”

Mohammad Aminul Islam, development manager at the International Cricket Council (ICC), applauded CAN’s efforts to prepare well for the qualifier. Islam was also in the combined team of the Associates during the inaugural edition of the U19 World Cup back in 1988.

“This event will be of an international level, and I would like to thank the team of CAN for it,” Islam, who is also the tournament director, said in the press conference. “Players like Brian Lara, Sanath Jayasuriya and Chris Gayle came to the spotlight from U19 cricket. So, this is a big event for the development of cricket at a global level.”

The Asia Qualifier will kick off on Sunday with Nepal vs UAE at Lower Mulpani and Oman vs Afghanistan at Upper Mulpani.