U-19 Cricket World Cup begins today

The ICC Under-19 World Cup, which is described as an early taste of international cricket for the talented youngsters, kicks off today at two different venues in the port city. High-flying Bangladesh take on defending champions South Africa at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium while England face Fiji at the MA Aziz Stadium in the opening day's fixtures.

Bangladesh have hosted a number of ICC events in the past including the 2004 ICC Under-19 World Cup. The passionate supporters of the game in the country have made all the previous events highly successful, including the youth  ones, even though this tournament hardly garners sufficient attention when it is held in other parts of the world.

It is said that this World Cup is like a dress rehearsal for the game at the top level and is the first stepping stone for every international cricketer. Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal are the living embodiments of that sentiment for Bangladesh cricket.

Bangladesh unearthed many cricketers at this level but they are yet to bring any laurels from this tournament. However, many believe that the current squad has got the ability to turn the tide.

The interest among cricket fans was enhanced this time as the hopes are high from this Bangladesh team following their impressive run in the last one-and-a-half year. South Africa are defending champions but Bangladesh, who were drafted in group A along with South Africa, Scotland and Namibia,  go into the match under the leadership of Mehedi Hasan Miraz as favourites, since they defeated the African side both in the home and away series' last year.

Bangladesh won a number of series except for the tri-series against India last year, along with the two official warm-up games against Zimbabwe and England to tune up well on the way to attempting to rewrite history in the event where their best finish was fifth position in the 2006 edition. Bangladesh have got a balanced side and will hope to put aside their dismal history, with the inclusion of Australian Stuart Law as a technical adviser boosting their mental strength.

There will be nine Test playing nations as three-time champions Australia pulled out from the tournament at the last moment due to security concerns, while seven associate and affiliate member sides will compete, divided into four groups, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the Super League and the bottom two featuring in the Plate Championship.

Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Dhaka and Sylhet will hosts 48 matches during the 19-day tournament which will find it's champions at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on February 14.