U19 World Cup to witness massive audience with 204 countries set to enjoy coverage

Young budding cricketers with the dream to represent their respective national sides have assembled in New Zealand for 2018 edition of the U-19 world cup. 16 teams are set to feature in the 50-over format of the game where they fight for the world title. The tournament starts from Saturday when the defending champion West Indies will take on the hosts New Zealand in Tauranga.

This time as per the broadcasters the tournament will be watched by a record number of people across the world. As per a media release from the ICC, as many as 102 countries will be able to enjoy the tournament through traditional method while double the figure (204 countries) will have the access of the tournament through various digital platforms such as live streaming app Hotstar. The global media rights of the tournament are with sports channel Star Sports. Star Sports’ Hotstar will be helping to increase the numbers through Its live streaming app as the tournament can be viewed through their mobile app. Hotstar will stream the live coverage in as many as 70 countries.

Tournament details

In the 12th edition of the tournament, 16 teams are featuring where they are pooled in 4 different groups. Defending champion West Indies along with hosts New Zealand, South Africa and Kenya are placed in the group A. 2012 edition winner India are slated with Australia who returns to the tournament after giving a miss to the earlier edition due to security reasons. Zimbwabe and Papua New Guinea are the other teams in the group B where they will lock horn with India and Australia. England, Bangladesh Canada, and Namibia are placed in the group C of the tournament. Pakistan is placed with Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Ireland in group D.

While the top-ranked teams entered the tournament through the traditional method which is based on rankings, the other 6 teams played qualifier rounds to get themselves a chance to aim the championship.

To make the tournament more exciting, top former players have been added to the commentary panel of the tournament to voice their opinions. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly, Australia’s Tom Moody and West Indies’s former fast bowler Ian Bishop are ready to voice their opinions. Popular commentators like Danny Morrison and Alan Wilkins will also be sharing their thoughts during the world cup as commentators and experts.

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