What Is 2018 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2018 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup was held in New Zealand from January 13 to February 3, 2018, featuring 16 teams. India won the tournament by defeating Australia by 8 wickets in the final.

Key Facts

Tournament held in New Zealand from January 13 to February 3, 2018
16 teams participated, including India, Australia, Pakistan, and England
India won their fourth Under-19 World Cup title
Shubman Gill scored 372 runs, earning Player of the Tournament
Final match took place at Mount Maunganui’s Bay Oval

Overview

The 2018 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup was the 12th edition of the global youth cricket championship, organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Hosted by New Zealand, the tournament showcased emerging talent from 16 nations, all aiming to claim the prestigious title reserved for players under 19 years of age.

Running from January 13 to February 3, 2018, the event featured 48 matches across six venues, including Mount Maunganui, Lincoln, and Whangārei. India emerged victorious, defeating Australia in the final to claim their fourth title in the competition’s history, joining previous wins in 2000, 2008, and 2012.

16 teams competed, divided into four groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the Super League quarterfinals.
The tournament was hosted across six venues in New Zealand, including Bay Oval, Seddon Park, and Bert Sutcliffe Oval.
India won by 8 wickets in the final, chasing down Australia’s 177 all out with 7.2 overs to spare.
Shubman Gill was named Player of the Tournament after scoring 372 runs at an average of 186.00 in six matches.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubham Mavi also played pivotal roles, with Jaiswal scoring 318 runs and Mavi taking 18 wickets.

How It Works

The ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup follows a structured knockout and group-stage format designed to identify the best youth cricket team globally. Eligible players must be under 19 years of age on the tournament start date, and teams qualify through regional pathways or automatic berths based on past performance.

Eligibility: Players must be under 19 years of age as of January 1, 2018. This ensured all participants were born on or after January 1, 1999.
Format: The tournament began with a group stage, followed by knockout rounds including quarterfinals, semifinals, and a final.
Qualification: Twelve teams qualified through regional ICC pathways, while four received automatic entry based on prior performance.
Venues: Matches were played at six grounds across New Zealand, with Bay Oval hosting both semifinals and the final.
Umpiring: All matches used two on-field umpires and a third umpire for DRS decisions, adhering to ICC’s standard international protocols.
Awards: The Player of the Tournament, Shubman Gill, received the award for highest overall impact across batting, fielding, and leadership.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the top five teams in the 2018 ICC Under-19 World Cup based on performance, key players, and tournament milestones.

Team	Final Position	Key Player	Top Runs	Top Wickets
India	Champions	Shubman Gill	372 (Gill)	18 (Mavi)
Australia	Runners-up	Jack Edwards	269 (Edwards)	11 (Steele)
Pakistan	Semifinalist	Tahmid Hasan	234 (Haider)	14 (Hasan)
England	Semifinalist	Tom Banton	298 (Banton)	12 (Topley)
Afghanistan	5th Place	Rahmat Shah	246 (Shah)	10 (Zadran)

The table highlights India’s dominance in both batting and bowling departments, with Shubman Gill and Shubham Mavi leading their respective categories. Australia’s Jack Edwards was the second-highest run-scorer, while Pakistan’s Tahmid Hasan led wicket-takers among non-Indian bowlers. England and Afghanistan showed strong performances but fell short in the semifinals. The data underscores how individual excellence contributed to team success in the tournament.

Why It Matters

The 2018 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup served as a crucial launchpad for future international stars and emphasized the importance of youth development in cricketing nations. Many players from this tournament have since debuted in senior national teams, validating the event’s role in talent identification.

Shubman Gill made his senior India debut in 2019 and has since become a mainstay in T20I and ODI formats.
Yashasvi Jaiswal debuted for India in 2023 and scored a Test century against West Indies.
Shubham Mavi has represented India in limited-overs cricket and IPL franchises like Kolkata Knight Riders.
The tournament highlighted India’s strong youth pipeline, continuing their legacy in producing world-class cricketers.
For associate nations like Afghanistan, strong performances boosted morale and investment in grassroots programs.
The event also promoted cricket in New Zealand, increasing youth participation and visibility for the sport in the region.

By identifying and showcasing young talent, the 2018 Under-19 World Cup reinforced the ICC’s commitment to growing the game globally. Its legacy continues through the professional careers of its alumni, many of whom are now key figures in international cricket.