India’s legendary allrounder Kapil Dev has joined national coaches from across the globe to wish “good luck” to the players taking part in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Bangladesh 2016, which starts in Chittagong on Wednesday.
The biennial 16-nation tournament features nine Test-playing nations and seven Associate and Affiliate members – Afghanistan, Canada, Fiji, Namibia, Nepal, Ireland and Scotland. On the opening day, defending champion South Africa will take on host Bangladesh at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, while at the MA Aziz Stadium, also in Chittagong, 1998 winner England will play Fiji.
“Good luck to all the boys participating in the tournament. They can write their own destiny,” said Dev, an ICC Cricket Hall of Famer who led India to victory in the ICC Cricket World Cup 1983.
“Many Test and one-day teams are going through a transition phase and the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup will enable them to take a look at the young players. We have seen so many young boys become men after this tournament,” added Dev, now one of the most respected commentators who took 434 and 253 wickets in 131 Tests and 225 One-Day Internationals respectively.
Kapil mentioned the likes of Hashim Amla, Virat Kohli, Steven Smith, Kane Williamson and Joe Root, who have come through the ICC Cricket U19 World Cup. “They are today the biggest inspiration for young cricketers,” he said.
