The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently unveiled the list of shortlisted players for the Player of the Tournament award of the 2024 Under-19 Cricket World Cup on Friday, February 9th. There are eight players on the shortlist, which is dominated by three members of the India Under-19 team: captain Uday Saharan, Saumy Pandey, and Musheer Khan, the younger brother of Sarfaraz Khan. The other players named are Aussie skipper Hugh Weibgen, Pakistani fast bowler Ubaid Shah, West Indian batsman Jewel Andrew, and South Africans Steve Solk and Kwena Maphaka.
Despite not being a part of the Under-19 World Cup Final, South African seamer Kwena Maphaka made a huge impact in this year’s U19 World Cup. The 17-year-old is currently the highest wicket taker in this tournament, with 21 scalps next to his name, which include three five wicket hauls. Kwena also managed to dismiss the likes of Adarsh Singh (0 runs), in-form batter Sachin Dhas (96 runs in 95 balls), and India U19 wicketkeeper Aravelly Avanish (10 runs in 18 balls) in the first semi-final match of the 2024 U19 World against the Indians, but unfortunately, Maphaka’s efforts went in vain as the Uday Saharan-led team emerged victorious by two wickets.
In addition to Kwena Maphaka, India U19 captain Uday Saharan and high-performing All-Rounder Musheen Khan are the top contenders for the Player of the Tournament award. Boys in Blue skipper Uday Saharan played a brilliant knock of 81 runs against South Africa in the first semi-final of the 2024 Under-19 World Cup and was awarded the Man of the Match award as his knock helped the Indians eliminate South Africa from the tournament and allowed the Boys in Blue to advance to the final of the 2024 Under-19 World Cup. Uday has overtaken teammate Musheer Khan in the list of the highest run getters in this year’s tournament, with 389 runs next to his name in six innings, which include three fifties and one century, at a brilliant average of 64.83.
On the other hand, the brother of Sarfaraz Khan, Musheer Khan, is the sole batter to score two hundred in the 2024 Under-19 World Cup. The 18-year-old notched up substantial scores against the likes of New Zealand and Ireland, and he is also in contention with skipper Uday Saharan for the title of leading run scorer in this year’s tournament. He has also managed to pick up six wickets at an outstanding economy of 3.32 and has caught the eye of everyone with his brilliant all-round abilities.
Down below is the shortlisted players for the Player of the Tournament award of the Under-19 World Cup
Shortlisted players for the Player of the Tournament award
- Kwena Maphaka (South Africa) took 21 wickets across six games
- Ubaid Shah (Pakistan) claimed 18 wickets in six matches
- Saumy Pandey (India) picked up 17 wickets in six games
- Musheer Khan (India) scored 338 runs and took six wickets
- Jewel Andrew (West Indies) made 207 runs in just five encounters
- Hugh Weibgen (Australia) accumulated 256 runs in six innings
- Uday Saharan (India) scored 389 runs and took one wicket
- Steve Stolk (South Africa) notched up 228 runs in six innings
Read: IND U19 vs AUS U19 Final: Australia’s Strongest Playing 11 for the final against India
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