Often we see numerous coaches/bloggers speak about the rise of players and how much talent they have after they have made a success of themselves. But true art is picking those that are yet to rise and predicting it. This comes with great uncertainty as it is done without truly knowing the individual or what circumstances life may throw at them. However, it is possible to spot players with raw talent, ability and the potential to succeed.
To do this, I looked back at the 2020 Under 19 World Cup in South Africa. Which players from each of the top four nations have the potential to take their talent to the next level? 🤔
#U19CricketWorldCup #SouthAfrica #YoungGuns #LookOut #Cricket #Potential #RisingStars #WorldCup #Under19
Bangladesh 🇧🇩 - Bangladesh Cricket : The Tigers 🐯
Bangladesh came away with their maiden U19 World Cup title with a victory against one of their sub-continent rivals, India, in the final. No one, in particular, had a stellar tournament for the junior Tigers; however, several individuals showed promise throughout and contributed to their team becoming champions.
Towhid Hridoy is a top-order batsman to look out for who can also throw down a few off-spinners. Towhid has quickly compiled one thousand List A runs at an average of 52.30, including eight fifties and one hundred. If he continues in this vein, it may not be long till we see the 20-year-old playing for his senior side. 🧐
In his short career, Mahmudul Hasan Joy has pilled on the runs for Gazi Group Chattogram with impressive averages in all formats. However, to really progress to the next level, he needs to increase his match-winning scores. This may well come as he finds his feet and grows in confidence.
Shoriful Islam has already proven he has what it takes, contributing with the ball in the senior side's recent series victory against Australia. He has played 10 T20 Internationals, and his performance should see him earn a place in the T20 World Cup squad at the end of the year. Islam's challenge will be to continue improving and developing his skills to become a feared bowler in all formats and conditions. 💪
#Bangladesh #BangladeshCricket #Champions #FirstTime #TowhidHridoy #MahmudulHasanJoy #ShorifulIslam #Tigers
India 🇮🇳 - Indian Cricket Team
India boasted the top wicket-taker and the top run-scorer; however, they were beaten by Bangladesh in the final by three wickets.
Ravi Bishnoi took 17 wickets throughout the tournament at an average of 10.64 with an economy of 3.48 runs per over, proving that he was unplayable to his peers. The young leg-spinner has already played numerous games for his province and franchise in the IPL. He is yet to set the world alight, but the potential is evident. 🤩
Player of the Tournament Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 400 runs at an average of 133.33 and SR of 82.47 whilst opening the batting. He currently applies his trade for Mumbai and Rajasthan Royals. In one of his last outings for his IPL franchise, he scored 32 off 20 balls against the likes of Bumrah, Boult and Coulter-Nile. Could this be India's next opener in white-ball cricket? 🔫
India's captain, Priyam Garg, had an extremely disappointing tournament by his standards but seems to have taken that in his stride and is thriving now. Already he has amassed five centuries for Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association and averages 60+ in First-Class cricket and 40+ in List A. This shows that he has extraordinary talent and the potential to make it into India's middle-order in years to come. 🤯
New Zealand 🇳🇿 - Blackcaps
This was one of New Zealand's best finishes at an Under 19 World Cup, largely due to their very talented squad. I have been fortunate enough to see a number of these players in person, and some have tremendous potential.
A young leg spinner is always exciting, and Adithya Ashok is no different. He has excellent control and all the variations, but most of all, he is a student of the game and shows an eagerness to improve. He is eligible for another Under 19 World Cup in 2022, where he will be looking to feature prominently. After he picked up his first contract with Auckland Cricket this year, many are looking forward to seeing him in the playing XI.
Kristian Clarke is a powerful all-rounder with great physical attributes. Demonstrated his ability as a match-winner in the World Cup and has this ability with both bat and ball. He can clear the fence by a long way with various shots, but plays controlled innings too. Kristian also bowls a heavy ball and, with development and maturity, may gain an extra yard of pace. This year, he is contracted to Northern Districts Cricket Association and should get a few games, especially with Black Caps away on duty.
William O'Rourke is someone I have had the pleasure to deal with on multiple occasions. He is your traditional seamer and reminds me a lot of Kyle Jamieson. Again, as he matures and develops, he will only get better and become someone no one wants to face. The bounce he generates and movement both in the air and off the seam are real assets and problems for batsmen. Being contracted by Canterbury Cricket this year will only help his development, as he can focus on cricket full time. This will be a great learning year for Will, and I predict that in 2022/23 we will see him go from strength to strength. 🔮
Pakistan 🇵🇰 - Pakistan Cricket Team
Reviewing Pakistan's team, it is easy to say they underperformed in the 2020 Under 19 World Cup. However, this would be harsh as they finished in the top 4 and had one poor game against India in the semi-final. Pakistan has seen several members of their 2020 squad go on to represent their country's men's side, which shows their talent.
Rohail Nazir was awarded Men's Emerging Cricketer of the Year at the 2020 Pakistan Cricket Team Awards. He has already scored fifteen scores of 50+ across all formats in Pakistan domestic cricket. On top of this, he is a wicket-keeper who shows tremendous promise behind the stumps. Nazir was called into the Pakistan Men's squad in 2020 but has not yet taken the field for his national side. 🔫
Already having played a match for Pakistan, Haider Ali is on the way to fulfilling his talent. He averages over 40 in both First-Class and One-Day cricket with three centuries to his name. Pakistan is not the only one to have selected him early, as he is also a member of the Jamaica Tallawahs. He has yet to dominate consistently but has shown glimpses of his ability, such as his 45 off 32 against a strong St Lucia Kings bowling line-up.
Qasim Akram is a promising all-rounder for Karachi Kings, bowling off-spin and can definitely wield a bat. He is currently only 18 years of age, showing that age is but just a number. He already has a List A century as well as a 5fer, showing all-around ability.
Mohammad Wasim has seen a meteoric rise already playing a handful of games for Pakistan. As of this moment, he has been used primarily in their Twenty20 team as he has yet to warrant selection in other formats. This may well change quickly for Wasim as he grows in confidence through playing further domestic cricket.
Imagine if the eligible Naseem Shah was also a part of the squad like he was originally meant to be... 😳
Notable Extras -
Tanveer Sangha - Australian Men's Cricket Team Leg-Spinner
Jayden Seales - West Indian Seamer 🔥
Rhys Mariu - Blackcaps Opening Batsman
Joey Field - Blackcaps Seamer
Gerald Coetzee - Cricket South Africa Seamer
Jonathan Bird - Cricket South Africa Batsman 💥
Jordan Cox - England Cricket Wicketkeeper-Batsman
Who will we be talking about at the next Under 19 ICC - International Cricket Council World Cup in 2022 in the West Indies?
Thank you to the ICC for the footage below of the final match between Bangladesh and India. #BANvsIND
Comments