NZ opt out of U19 World Cup due to quarantine restrictions

New Zealand will not take part in the U19 World Cup that will be held in the West Indies in the year 2022. The Kiwis have withdrawn because of mandatory quarantine requirements that are in place for minors. Scotland will replace New Zealand in the tournament.

Scotland will be a part of Group D, which consists of other teams like West Indies, Australia, and Sri Lanka. The tournament is scheduled to get underway on 14th January 2022 and will see West Indies and Australia clashing in the opening rubber.

The tournament will be played in 10 grounds across 4 different countries. The four countries are Trinidad and Tobago, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Guyana, and Antigua.

The tournament will be played in the Caribbean for the first time

This is the first time that the U19 World Cup will be played in the Caribbean. The Indian side is placed in Group B, alongside Uganda, Ireland and South Africa. The two semifinal matches of the tournament will be played on February 1st and 2nd respectively.

While the Sir Vivian Richards College Ground will play host to the first semifinal, the second semifinal will be held at the Coolidge Cricket Ground. The summit clash of the tournament will also take place at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.

The previous edition of the U19 World Cup was won by the Bangladesh side. The Bangladeshi Tigers beat India in the final. Batting first, India were bowled out for a total of 177. The Bangladesh side went past the finish line and won the match with 3 wickets and 23 balls to spare. Bangladesh skipper Akbar Ali won the Player of the Match award for staying till the end and scoring a sedate 77-ball 43* to help his side across the finish line.

India has won the tournament on a whopping 4 occasions, while Australia has won the event thrice.