The ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup 2024, initially set to take place in Sri Lanka, has found a new home in South Africa due to the suspension of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). The decision was made by the ICC Board after SLC’s provisional suspension owing to government interference. The tournament is scheduled to run from January 13 to February 4, 2024.
Sri Lanka’s internal cricket matters are unaffected by this shift, and South Africa, having previously hosted the U19 World Cup in 2020, is set to take the reins once again. The move came after SLC notified the ICC about government interference in cricket administration, a conflict that has been escalating due to accusations of corruption and mismanagement.
U19 2024 will be the 15th edition of the tournament and the third time it will be hosted in Sri Lanka, making it the second country, after New Zealand, to host the event three times. Defending champions, Team India, will strive to maintain their title status in this prestigious youth cricket event.
U19 2024 Schedule
| Date | Match Details | Time (IST) | Venue |
| January 13, 2024 | Sri Lanka U19 vs Zimbabwe U19 | AM 10:00 | R. Premadasa Stadium |
| January 13, 2024 | New Zealand U19 vs Nepal U19 | AM 10:00 | P Sara Oval |
| January 13, 2024 | England U19 vs Scotland U19 | AM 10:00 | Colombo Cricket Club Ground |
| January 14, 2024 | Australia U19 vs Namibia U19 | AM 10:00 | Singhalese Sports Club |
| January 14, 2024 | Bangladesh U19 vs India U19 | AM 10:00 | R. Premadasa Stadium |
| January 14, 2024 | South Africa U19 vs West Indies U19 | AM 10:00 | Colombo Cricket Club Ground |
| January 15, 2024 | Pakistan U19 vs Afghanistan U19 | AM 10:00 | P Sara Oval |
| January 15, 2024 | Ireland U19 vs USA U19 | AM 10:00 | Singhalese Sports Club |
| January 16, 2024 | South Africa U19 vs England U19 | AM 10:00 | Colombo Cricket Club Ground |
| January 16, 2024 | Sri Lanka U19 vs Australia U19 | AM 10:00 | Nondescripts CC |
| January 17, 2024 | Nepal U19 vs Pakistan U19 | AM 10:00 | P Sara Oval |
| January 17, 2024 | West Indies U19 vs Scotland U19 | AM 10:00 | Colombo Cricket Club Ground |
| January 17, 2024 | Namibia U19 vs Zimbabwe U19 | AM 10:00 | Nondescripts CC |
| January 18, 2024 | Bangladesh U19 vs Ireland U19 | AM 10:00 | Singhalese Sports Club |
| January 18, 2024 | Afghanistan U19 vs New Zealand U19 | AM 10:00 | P Sara Oval |
| January 18, 2024 | India U19 vs USA U19 | AM 10:00 | R. Premadasa Stadium |
| January 19, 2024 | Zimbabwe U19 vs Australia U19 | AM 10:00 | Singhalese Sports Club |
| January 19, 2024 | England U19 vs West Indies U19 | AM 10:00 | Nondescripts CC |
| January 20, 2024 | India U19 vs Ireland U19 | AM 10:00 | R. Premadasa Stadium |
| January 20, 2024 | Scotland U19 vs South Africa U19 | AM 10:00 | Colombo Cricket Club Ground |
| January 20, 2024 | Afghanistan U19 vs Nepal U19 | AM 10:00 | Nondescripts CC |
| January 21, 2024 | Sri Lanka U19 vs Namibia U19 | AM 10:00 | Singhalese Sports Club |
| January 21, 2024 | Pakistan U19 vs New Zealand U19 | AM 10:00 | P Sara Oval |
| January 21, 2024 | USA U19 vs Bangladesh U19 | AM 10:00 | Colombo Cricket Club Ground |
| January 23, 2024 | A4 vs D4, Super Six | AM 10:00 | Singhalese Sports Club |
| January 23, 2024 | B4 vs C4, Super Six | AM 10:00 | Nondescripts CC |
| January 24, 2024 | C2 vs B3, Super Six | AM 10:00 | P Sara Oval |
| January 24, 2024 | A1 vs D2, Super Six | AM 10:00 | R. Premadasa Stadium |
| January 24, 2024 | C1 vs B2, Super Six | AM 10:00 | Nondescripts CC |
| January 25, 2024 | C3 vs B1, Super Six | AM 10:00 | Singhalese Sports Club |
| January 25, 2024 | D3 vs A2, Super Six | AM 10:00 | P Sara Oval |
| January 25, 2024 | D1 vs A3, Super Six | AM 10:00 | Colombo Cricket Club Ground |
| January 26, 2024 | B3 vs C1, Super Six | AM 10:00 | Singhalese Sports Club |
| January 27, 2024 | D2 vs A3, Super Six | AM 10:00 | P Sara Oval |
| January 27, 2024 | A1 vs D3, Super Six | AM 10:00 | R. Premadasa Stadium |
| January 27, 2024 | B1 vs C2, Super Six | AM 10:00 | Nondescripts CC |
| January 28, 2024 | B2 vs C3, Super Six | AM 10:00 | R. Premadasa Stadium |
| January 28, 2024 | D1 vs A2, Super Six | AM 10:00 | Nondescripts CC |
| January 30, 2024 | Semi-Final 1 | AM 10:00 | R. Premadasa Stadium |
| February 1, 2024 | Semi-Final 1 | AM 10:00 | R. Premadasa Stadium |
| February 4, 2024 | Final | AM 10:00 | R. Premadasa Stadium |
Qualification for the World Cup involves one automatic qualifier and five teams competing in regional qualifiers, each from an ICC Development Zone. The Asian qualifiers witnessed Nepal advancing by defeating the United Arab Emirates, bringing added excitement to the U19 2024.
The tournament promises to be a showcase of youth talent, with players from around the world setting the stage for future cricket stars. The U19 2024 schedule is eagerly anticipated, offering cricket enthusiasts a glimpse into the promising future of the sport.
