Pakistan star included as ICC unveils U19 CWC 2024 team of the tournament

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Finalists India and Australia dominate the Team of the Tournament, with seven players featuring from the two sides.

Leading run-scorer and India captain Uday Saharan, Musheer Khan, Sachin Dhas and Saumy Pandey are all included in the team. For the champions Australia, captain Hugh Weibgen, Harry Dixon and Callum Vidler made the cut.

Lhuan-dré Pretorius (South Africa)

287 runs in 6 matches, 8 catches

Lhaun-dre Pretorius of South Africa showcased his versatility in every aspect of the game during the tournament. Not only did he open the batting for the Proteas, but he also excelled as a wicketkeeper and contributed with the ball when needed.

Teaming up with Steve Stolk, Pretorius formed a dangerous opening partnership that gained momentum as the tournament progressed. Despite initial struggles to convert starts in the first three games, he finished the tournament on a high note, scoring three half-centuries, including a crucial one in the semi-final against India.

He finished the World Cup with 287 runs in six matches, the most by any Protea batter in the tournament.

Pretorius ended the World Cup as the top run-scorer for South Africa, amassing 287 runs in six matches. Additionally, claimed 8 catches behind the stumps and in a commendable display of adaptability, the 17-year-old filled in as a bowler when Juan James was injured in the opening game, delivering a solid nine-over spell to compensate for the overs.

Harry Dixon (Australia)

309 runs in 7 matches

A solid presence at the top of the title-winning Australian team, Harry Dixon not only made consistent contributions throughout the tournament but also stepped up when it mattered the most.

Dixon kicked off the tournament with an impressive knock of 89, earning him the Player of the Match against Zimbabwe. He continued his consistent form with scores of 49 and 53 on challenging tracks in Kimberley.

As the stakes heightened in the knockout stages, Dixon showcased his mettle, playing a pivotal role in Australia's success. In the low-scoring semi-final against Pakistan, he top-scored with a crucial 50. In the final clash against India, Dixon contributed significantly with a vital 42, establishing a crucial 78-run partnership with his captain after an early breakthrough.

⁠Musheer Khan (India)

360 runs and 7 wickets in 7 matches

An ace for India both with the bat and ball, Musheer Khan emerged as one of the most exciting prospects in the U19 World Cup.

Musheer was the only player to score more than one century in the tournament with tons against Ireland and New Zealand, helping him to the second spot in the highest run-scorers' list with 360 runs.

Though he couldn’t make an impact with the bat in the semi-final and final, he proved to be a vital asset by picking up three wickets in the two games and finishing with seven wickets in total.

Hugh Weibgen (Australia)

304 runs in 7 matches

Hugh Weibgen led Australia by example, both with the bat and as captain, steering them to their fourth U19 World Cup title.

Weibgen started the tournament with a fifty against Zimbabwe and continued his stellar form with a Player of the Match-winning century against arch-rivals England.

After a couple of quiet games, Weibgen rose to the occasion in the final, contributing a crucial 48 that laid the foundation to put up a formidable and ultimately match-winning total of 253.

Weibgen also earned praise for his tactical acumen, including brave team changes as well as the decision to bat first in overcast conditions in the final.

Uday Saharan (India)

397 runs in 7 matches

Uday Saharan, the tournament's leading run-scorer, stood as the cornerstone of India's batting lineup, guiding them to the final of the U19 World Cup 2024.

Throughout the competition, Saharan displayed remarkable consistency with the bat, with the 8 runs in the final being his sole single-digit score.

His campaign began with consecutive fifties against Bangladesh and Ireland, followed by a couple of thirties in subsequent matches. Notably, in the final Super Six game against Nepal, Saharan showcased his prowess by notching a brilliant century. 

During this innings, he partnered with Sachin Dhas to establish a record 215-run partnership, the highest for any wicket for India in U19 World Cup history.

The dynamic duo once again played a crucial role in the semi-final, with Saharan contributing a match-winning 81, guiding the team towards a memorable victory.

Sachin Dhas (India)

303 runs in 7 matches

Sachin Dhas, another promising talent emerging from the U19 World Cup for India, demonstrated exceptional composure and impressive strokeplay, adapting to various situations with ease.

Initially positioned lower down the order in the opening games, Dhas played crucial unbeaten cameos against Bangladesh and Ireland.

His opportunity to bat higher up the order came in the final Super Six game against Nepal, and Dhas seized the moment, crafting a magnificent 116 as he forged a record partnership with captain Saharan.

Dhas continued his fine form into the semi-final, contributing to a vital 171-run partnership with the captain. Showcasing the ability to deliver under pressure, he emerged as the highest scorer with 96, narrowly missing out on a well-deserved century against South Africa.

Nathan Edward (West Indies)

11 wickets and 101 runs in 5 matches

Lending balance to the team of the tournament with his pace bowling and handy batting is Nathan Edward.

Edward consistently made an impact with the ball, never going wicket-less in any of the games throughout the tournament. Additionally, his batting skills were instrumental in the Windies’ memorable campaign where he played the finisher's role to perfection, most notably guiding his team to victories against Scotland and England.

A defining moment for Edward was the game against England, where he first demonstrated his bowling prowess by recording figures of 3/28, restricting them to a total of 192. 

In the challenging chase, Edward entered the batting lineup at 98/5 and strung crucial partnerships with captain Stephan Pascal and Tarrique Edward. This collective effort propelled the Windies to a thrilling victory with just two wickets to spare, marking Nathan Edward's finest hour in the tournament.

Callum Vidler (Australia)

14 wickets in 6 matches

Silently leading the Australian pace attack, Callum Vidler emerged as a formidable threat to the opposition throughout the tournament.

His U19 World Cup campaign began with an impressive display, securing two four-wicket hauls and a three-for in the first three games. Although he picked up only three wickets in the subsequent three matches, Vidler's unwavering consistency in holding one end tight proved invaluable. His ability to build pressure became a key element, setting the stage for his fellow bowlers to capitalize on the opposition's vulnerability, especially in the semi-final and the final.

Ubaid Shah (Pakistan)

18 wickets in 6 matches

Ubaid Shah, brother of international star Naseem Shah, virtually carried the Pakistan bowling attack on his shoulders throughout the tournament, delivering standout performances when the team needed him the most.

Consistently among the wickets in every game, Ubaid made a fiery start with a four-for against Afghanistan in the opening match. However, his pinnacle moment came in a crucial virtual quarter-final against Bangladesh. 

In this decisive match, Ubaid's exceptional bowling skills shone as he claimed a stunning five-for, instrumental in defending a total of 155. This remarkable effort not only secured Pakistan's victory but also earned them a spot in the semi-final.

Kwena Maphaka (South Africa)

21 wickets in 6 matches

With an impressive tally of 21 wickets, three five-wicket hauls, and claiming the top spot as the highest wicket-taker, Kwena Maphaka stood as the undisputed choice for the Player of the Tournament.

Maphaka set the ball rolling with a fiery 5/38 in the opening match against West Indies. The other two five-fors came in the crucial Super Six encounters against Zimbabwe (5/34) and Sri Lanka (6/21).

In the semi-final against India, his opening and finishing spell almost won the game for South Africa, where he accounted for the wickets of Adarsh Singh early on and later of Sachin Dhas and Aravelly Avanish.

Finishing with 28 wickets in total, including seven wickets in the previous edition, the left-arm pacer is currently the joint-highest wicket-taker in U19 World Cup history, tied with Zimbabwe Wessley Madhevere.

Saumy Pandey (India)

18 wickets in 7 matches

Finishing the tournament as the joint second-highest wicket-taker, Saumy Pandey weaved his magic at the U19 World Cup with his left-arm spin.

Pandey started the tournament with a four-wicket haul against Bangladesh and followed it up with a three-for against Ireland.

Pandey then brought his A-game to the Super Sixes, bagging four-wicket hauls against New Zealand and Nepal.

Pandey’s struggles in the knockout stages coincided with the two games where India were pushed to the limits. Though India managed to win against South Africa, they fell short against Australia.

12th: Jamie Dunk (Scotland)

263 runs in 4 games

Despite Scotland's early exit from the group stage, Jamie Dunk left a notable mark, finishing as the 8th-highest run-scorer in the tournament with an impressive tally of 263 runs in just four matches.

Dunk's consistency stood out in the four games, where he achieved three scores of 50 or more. Even in his lowest-scoring match, the opening game against England, Dunk managed to contribute significantly with a score of 40.