ESPNcricinfo picks its best XI from the Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh
Vishal Dikshit and Mohammad Isam15-Feb-20161 Rishabh Pant (wk), India (267 runs at 44.50; 5 catches, 2 stumpings)Not the most technically-correct batsman to play against two new balls but he can excel in limited-overs matches with his ability to go for the big shots. Three such innings, with a hundred and two fifties, fetched him INR 1.9 crore in the IPL auction recently. With the India captain Ishan Kishan hardly performing in the tournament, Pant provided his team with several quick starts and led them to the final.2 Gidron Pope, West Indies (232 runs at 38.66; 7 wickets at 23.14)Pope has been one of the most talked-about players in the competition, mainly due to his big-hitting in the first ten overs. Handy bowling and a motor-mouth while doing so has also made him endearing for followers. In the years to come, Pope could become a popular choice in the T20 leagues.3 Jack Burnham, England (420 runs at 84)Just like Alastair Cook in the 2004 Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh, this England batsman did exceedingly well in sub-continent conditions. Though the team did not progress further than the quarter-final, Burnham’s three centuries were impressive due to his temperament against spin and attacking intent while taking on pace bowling.4 Sarfaraz Khan, India (355 runs at 71) He was India’s go-to man in the World Cup whether the top order stuttered or not. The most experienced batsman in the line-up, Sarfaraz lived up to his reputation and led the line-up with one fifty after another to take the tally to five from six innings. He would have been much happier if he had converted one or two of those into hundreds.5 Hasan Mohsin, Pakistan (293 runs at 97.66; 11 wickets at 14.81)Arguably the best allrounder of the World Cup. A legspinner till mid-2015 and now a pace-bowling allrounder, Mohsin shone in the first match itself and earned three Man-of-the-Match awards. He picked wickets by opening the bowling for Pakistan and later produced a fifty and a hundred to become Pakistan’s most valuable player.6 Mehedi Hasan Miraz (capt), Bangladesh (242 runs at 60.50; 12 wickets at 17.66)He handled the pressure of expectations quite superbly, and on top of that his own performance has been impressive. He bailed out the team with bat and ball regularly, and his fielding led the way. Bangladesh’s progress to the semi-finals also spoke volumes about his leadership.7 Mohammad Saifuddin, Bangladesh (75 runs at 25; 13 wickets at 14.92)Bangladesh’s search for a genuine fast-bowling allrounder could end with Saifuddin. His yorkers in the end overs were a big hit in the tournament and with the newer ball, he was able to gather late inward movement. As a left-handed batsmen, he had limited opportunities but can get better with more confidence.Gidron Pope was one of the most talked-about players in the tournament due to his big hitting•Getty Images8 Mayank Dagar, India (11 wickets at 9.36)He came into the XI only after India’s first two matches. From there he was India’s only specialist spinner till the final and he picked at least two wickets in each of his four matches. The left-arm spinner used flight and dip often to beat the batsmen and played a major role in stifling oppositions by finishing with an economy rate of 2.88.9 Saqib Mahmood, England (13 wickets at 12.69)A James Anderson follower, the Lancastrian Mahmood gave a good look at his skills in the group stage first, with two four-wicket hauls against West Indies and Zimbabwe. He gave a fine effort against Sri Lanka in the quarter-final but the team didn’t progress. He bowls full and into the stumps, and has acquired what it takes to put reverse swing on the ball. Definitely one for the future.10 Alzarri Joseph, West Indies (13 wickets at 13.76)He has been the standout fast bowler in the tournament, much like Kagiso Rabada in the 2014 edition in the UAE. He is tall and comes off a strong action from which he has shown the ability to regularly pepper the batsmen with short balls and yet find the block-hole. Joseph has been one of the most exciting players in the tournament.11 Avesh Khan, India (12 wickets at 15.08)One of the three Indian players who also played the last World Cup, Avesh Khan turned up as the leader of the attack this time and impressed on every outing. His strengths are hitting a nagging line just outside off, pick early wickets with some swing and choke opposition’s top orders with a barrage of dot balls. One of the Indian players to watch out for who could make it to the senior level.
