ICC U19 World Cup 2026: Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Sameer Minhas, Oliver Peake and Rizan Hossan - Rising Stars from each Nation to Watch

The ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2026 will offer the next generation of cricketers a chance to sample international competition and carve their names into the record books through standout performances.

The 16-team tournament is scheduled to be held in Zimbabwe from January 15, bringing together the world's most promising young talents on a global stage.

Over the years, the ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup has served as a reliable indicator of future greatness. From Yuvraj Singh, the Player of the Tournament at the inaugural 2000 edition, to more recent winners such as Aiden Markram and Shubman Gill, and New Zealand pace spearhead Tim Southee, strong performances at this level have often translated into long and successful international careers.

The 2026 edition is expected to continue that tradition, with several emerging stars already making their mark in age-group and senior cricket. Here is a team-wise look at some of the players expected to shine at the tournament.

Afghanistan - Faisal Shinozoda

Faisal Shinozoda impressed at the ACA U19 Men's Asia Cup, scoring 155 runs across three innings, including a commanding century against Bangladesh. A right-handed top-order batter, he has shown versatility opening the innings and batting at number three, with consistent returns against Bangladesh and India at U19 level.

Australia - Oliver Peake

Oliver Peake knows what it takes to win this tournament, having been part of Australia's title-winning squad as injury cover in 2024. Since then, he has earned a Big Bash contract, made his first-class debut for Victoria and toured Sri Lanka with the Australia Test squad. Peake will captain Australia in 2026.

Bangladesh - Rizan Hossan

A pace-bowling all-rounder, Rizan Hossan has drawn comparisons with his idol Ben Stokes. While he had a modest U19 Asia Cup, his earlier form included back-to-back half-centuries against Afghanistan and a century against England, underlining his value with both bat and ball.

England - Farhan Ahmed

The younger brother of England international Rehan Ahmed, Farhan Ahmed has already rewritten county records. He became Nottinghamshire's second-youngest senior debutant and the youngest player to take 10 wickets in a first-class match, breaking a record that stood since W. G. Grace in 1865. He will captain England at his second U19 World Cup.

India - Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Still only 14, Vaibhav Suryavanshi is among the most talked-about prodigies in age-group cricket. He announced himself with a century on India U19 debut at 13 and later became the youngest player to sign an IPL contract. At the U19 Asia Cup, he scored 262 runs at an average above 50 and a strike rate of 182, including a record-breaking 35-ball century.

Ireland - Adam Leckey

Opener Adam Leckey was the backbone of Ireland's batting on their tour of Zimbabwe, scoring 323 runs in five innings with four half-centuries. A recipient of the 2025/26 Cricket Ireland Overseas Scholarship, Leckey has also spent time honing his skills in Australia.

New Zealand - Aryan Mann

Wicketkeeper-batter Aryan Mann made an immediate impact in first-class cricket with twin half-centuries on debut for Northern Districts. Having impressed at U19 level, he will aim to guide New Zealand towards a maiden U19 World Cup title, their best finish being runners-up in 1998.

Pakistan - Sameer Minhas

Sameer Minhas arrives in red-hot form after a record-breaking U19 Asia Cup. His match-winning 172 in the final was the highest score in an U19 tournament final and the highest by a Pakistan U19 batter. He finished the competition with 471 runs in five innings, nearly 200 more than any other player.

South Africa - Jorich van Schalkwyk

Jorich van Schalkwyk has shattered records in quick succession, first surpassing Jacques Rudolph's long-standing South Africa U19 mark before becoming the first double centurion in men's Youth ODIs. He now eyes becoming the third successive South African to win Player of the Tournament after Dewald Brevis and Kwena Maphaka.

Sri Lanka - Sethmika Seneviratne

Right-arm medium pacer Sethmika Seneviratne was among Sri Lanka's standout performers at the U19 Asia Cup, taking eight wickets at an average of 15.75. With Sri Lanka aiming to reach the latter stages for the first time since 2016, his bowling could prove decisive.

West Indies - Jonathan van Lange

A multi-sport athlete and national table tennis champion, Jonathan van Lange is a key figure in the West Indies batting line-up alongside skipper Joshua Dorne. His sporting pedigree adds another layer to his cricketing promise.

Zimbabwe - Kian Blignaut

Kian Blignaut, son of former Zimbabwe international Andy Blignaut, has emerged as a promising top-order batter who can also bowl leg-spin. He recently scored an unbeaten 110 for Zimbabwe U19, sharing a century stand with his twin brother Michael.

With several players already pushing the boundaries of age-group cricket, the ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2026 promises to be a launchpad for the next generation of international stars.