A number of players who are set to feature in the 2018 edition of the Under-19 World Cup have already made a place for themselves in the public consciousness courtesy their on-field exploits. Some have done it at first-class level and have even been picked to play in T20 leagues across the world. Others have been prolific at the age-group levels and now have an opportunity to make the next step up the ladder. ESPNcricinfo picks five players to keep an eye on during the tournament, which begins in New Zealand on January 13:
Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
With an action that has already elicited comparisons with Mitchell Starc, Shaheen burst onto the scene with figures of 8 for 39 for Khan Research Laboratories against Rawalpindi in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, the best figures by a Pakistani cricketer on first-class debut. Shaheen, who was born after the turn of the millennium, isn’t the first from his family to don Pakistan colours. His older brother Riaz, who played one Test for Pakistan in November 2004, was part of a successful Under-19 World Cup winning team in 2004.
Shaheen was first selected for the Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) in an Under-16 talent hunt programme, and became the leading wicket-taker for his region with 12 wickets at 16.17 in 2015. He impressed the national selectors in a high-performance camp for players who had impressed at the Under-16 level. His pace and fitness won him a ticket for an Under-16 tour to Australia. Last season, he signed a two-year deal with the BPL franchise Dhaka Dynamites.
Shubman Gill (India)
While all eyes will be on Prithvi Shaw, India’s captain, teams would do well to make note of Gill’s penchant for big runs. Gill, who generally bats No. 3, has been a constant feature in Rahul Dravid’s plans during the build up to the 2018 tournament. Along the way, he’s also been picked for Punjab in the Ranji Trophy. If he hadn’t injured himself at training ahead of the Ranji Troohy season, he would have also made his India A debut when New Zealand A toured the country in August-September.
Gill has constantly played at an age-group level above his. In 2014, he smacked 351 in Punjab’s Inter-District Under-16 tournament, and shared a record opening stand of 587 with Nirmal Singh. On his Under-16 state debut for Punjab, he made an unbeaten double-century in the Vijay Merchant Trophy. Later that year, he would go on to share the stage with his idol Virat Kohli while receiving a BCCI award for the best junior cricketer, which he won for two successive years: 2013-14 and 2014-15.
Gill’s real test with the India Under-19s came earlier this year, when he amassed 351 runs in four innings to win Man of the Series during the Youth ODI series at home against England. In the reciprocal tour, his first in English conditions, he top-scored once more, with 278 runs in four innings. India swept both series.
Mujeeb Zadran (Afghanistan)
He can bowl traditional offspin and mix it up with legspin and ripping googlies to make what Afghanistan coach Andy Moles terms a “complete package”. At just 16, Mujeeb wants to follow in the footsteps of Rashid Khan, his senior by two years. There’s plenty of hype surrounding him too, supported by the weight of his performances.
