After 23 days of exciting cricketing action, the 2022 edition of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup came to an end yesterday, with India beating England in the final to claim their sixth title. Here’s Wisden’s team of the tournament, packed full of players who could go onto dominate world cricket.
Wisden’s U19 World Cup 2022 team of the tournament – the selections
Haseebullah Khan – Pakistan (wk)
380 runs @ 76, HS: 136, SR: 80.85, 2 hundreds, 1 fifty, 10 dismissals
Haseebullah Khan does the same job in this XI as he did for the Pakistan team, that of the steady, consistent anchor. The talented keeper began the tournament with a 135 and finished it with a 136. Both these knocks helped ensure crushing wins for his side.
Teague Wyllie – Australia
278 runs @ 69.5, HS: 101*, SR: 73.15, 1 hundred, 2 fifties
Teague Wyllie is a safe option at the top. He made a hundred against Scotland and also scored a crucial 71 against Pakistan in the Super League Quarter-final for which he won the Player of the match award.
Shaik Rasheed – India
201 runs @ 50.25, HS: 94, SR: 65.9, 2 fifties
The India vice-captain managed to overcome plenty of difficulties including testing positive for Covid-19 to deliver two match-winning performance for his side in the tournament. He scored a solid 94 in the semi-final, before managing a 50 in the final.
Dewald Brevis – South Africa
506 runs @ 84.33, HS: 138, SR: 90.19, 2 hundreds, 3 fifties
No player has ever made more runs at a single Under-19 Cricket World Cup than Dewald Brevis, who overtook Shikhar Dhawan’s tally of 505 runs at the 2004 edition. Opposition mattered little to Brevis, who was dismissed for less than 50 just once, and made four scores above 90. With comparisons being made to the legendary AB de Villiers, a bright future lies ahead for the young batter.
Yash Dhull – India
229 runs @ 76.33, HS: 110, SR: 85.44, 1 hundred, 1 fifty
Yash Dhull, the India skipper, is the best man to lead this side. Much like a number of his teammates, his World Cup campaign too was affected by Covid-19 but the Delhi-born player remained undeterred and scored a match-winning 110 in the semi-final.
Dunith Wellalage – Sri Lanka
264 runs @ 44, HS: 113; 17 wickets @ 13.58, BBI 5-27
Dunith Wellalage donned many roles for Sri Lanka, that of a leader, a middle-order batter, and a safe slow left-arm option for his side. Not only was he the highest wicket-taker in the tournament, he was also the seventh-highest run-getter. His contributions also came in crucial games, such as a match-winning half century and a five-for in the same game against Australia.
Raj Bawa – India
252 runs @ 63, HS 162*; 9 wickets @ 16.66, BBI: 5-31
When he got going, Raj Bawa managed to outshine everyone else in the game. He scored a 108-ball 162 against Uganda, and later took a five-for in the final, while also adding a crucial 35 in a Player of the Match performance against England.
Vicky Ostwal – India
12 wickets @ 13.33, BBI: 5-28, Econ: 3.63
Vicky Ostwal brought in the right punch as the slow left-arm spinner for India, winning them their opening encounter against South Africa with his 5-28 (getting the wicket of the dangerous Brevis in the process). He also picked a three-for in the semi-final against Australia.
Rehan Ahmed – England
12 wickets @ 12.58, BBI: 4-30, Econ: 4.19
The young England spinner was making waves long before the Under-19 Cricket World Cup took place, and things only got better for him during the tournament. He had three four-fors in the tournament, including a brilliant 4-41 against Afghanistan in the semis.
R Ravi Kumar – India
10 wickets @ 13.2, BBI: 4-34, Econ: 3.66
The left-arm seamer was on fire all through the tournament but was especially lethal in the knockout stages, picking up nine wickets to spearhead India’s march to the crown. His sizzling spell against Bangladesh made one and all take notice, with his 3-14 helping India reach the semis, knocking out the defending champions in the process
Joshua Boyden – England
15 wickets @ 9.86, BBI: 4-16, Econ: 3.21
Joshua Boyden was the second most successful bowler in the tournament with his left-arm swing consistently making in-roads with the new ball. He helped England reach the final with his accurate and controlled bowling. In the final itself, he got their defence off to a great start and then got the late breakthrough of Bawa.
Wisden’s U19 World Cup 2022 team of the tournament – the XI
Haseebullah Khan (wk)
Teague Wyllie
Shaik Rasheed
Dewald Brevis
Yash Dhull (c)
Dunith Wellalage
Raj Bawa
Vicky Ostwal
Rehan Ahmed
R Ravi Kumar
Joshu Boyden
