The new edition of the U19 Asia Cup 2024 is set to begin on November 29 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), promising an exciting showcase of young cricketing talent from across Asia. With eight teams participating, the tournament will feature a two-group format leading to semi-finals and a grand finale, culminating on December 8. Among the matches, the highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan on November 30 is expected to draw significant attention, given the historic rivalry between the two nations.

Defending champions and historical context

Bangladesh enter the tournament as the defending champions after clinching their first U19 Asia Cup title in 2023 by defeating UAE decisively. Historically, India have been a dominant force in this competition, having won the title eight times out of ten editions. However, with Bangladesh’s recent success and a strong squad, they cannot be overlooked as contenders this year.

A competitive format

The tournament will see eight teams divided into two groups:

• Group A: India, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Japan
• Group B: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka

Each team will compete against the others in their group, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals. This structure not only ensures that every match is crucial but also sets the stage for thrilling encounters as teams vie for a spot in the final.

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Fixtures:

The tournament kicks off with Bangladesh facing Afghanistan on November 29. The schedule is packed with exciting fixtures leading up to the final:

• November 29: Afghanistan vs Bangladesh; Sri Lanka vs Nepal
• November 30: India vs Pakistan; UAE vs Japan
• December 1: Bangladesh vs Nepal; Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan
• December 2: Pakistan vs UAE; India vs Japan
• December 3: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka; Afghanistan vs Nepal
• December 4: Pakistan vs Japan; India vs UAE
• December 6: Semi-finals
• December 8: Final

All matches will take place at either the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai or Sharjah Cricket Stadium starting at 05:00 am GMT/ 10:30 am IST/ 09:00 am Local, both renowned venues for international cricket.

Broadcast and Live Streaming Details:

• India: Sony liv app and website with broadcast on Sony Sports Network channels

Also READ: Complete squads of all 10 teams after the IPL 2025 mega auction

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