England Announces Squad for ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has officially announced a 15-member squad for the highly anticipated ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup, set to take place in Zimbabwe and Namibia starting January 15, 2026.

Tournament Overview

The Under-19 World Cup will feature young teams from around the globe competing for the prestigious title across multiple venues. England is placed in Group C of the 16-team competition and will start their campaign against Pakistan on January 16 in Harare. Subsequent matches will see them face co-hosts Zimbabwe on January 18 and Scotland on January 21. The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six stage, culminating in the final at Harare Sports Club on February 6.

Captain and Vice-Captain Announcement

Somerset wicketkeeper-batter Thomas Rew has been appointed as the captain of the England Under-19 team. Rew recently gained invaluable experience representing the England Lions during their tour of Australia. Farhan Ahmed, an all-rounder from Nottinghamshire, has been named vice-captain. Ahmed previously demonstrated his leadership skills by captaining the team during a Youth ODI series against the West Indies when Rew was unavailable.

Notable Team Inclusions

Among the new faces is left-arm spinner Ali Farooq from Leicestershire, who has earned his first call-up after impressing with his performances.

Coach’s Perspective

England Under-19 head coach Mike Yardy expressed his enthusiasm about the squad selection in an ECB statement, stating:

“This is an amazing opportunity for the players to not only wear an England shirt at a World Cup but also to strive for something special. We have a balanced squad with core players who have county experience and have built camaraderie while playing together for the U19s. I want the players to relish the opportunity to compete in a beautiful country like Zimbabwe and to showcase their quality against various opponents.”

This tournament presents a significant platform for young talents to shine on an international stage as they pursue their dreams in cricket.