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The West Indies will host the 14th edition of the ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup for the first time ever, as the event which showcases the future stars of the game will see 16 teams travelling to the Caribbean to compete in 48 matches from 14 January to 5 February across four host countries.

The sixteen teams competing will see current holders Bangladesh, England, Canada and the United Arab Emirates form Group A, with debutants Uganda placed in Group B alongside India, South Africa and Ireland.

Group C comprises Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Papua New Guinea and Group D sees host West Indies, Australia and Sri Lanka. Scotland completed the tournament lineup in Group D after New Zealand withdrew due to minors' extensive mandatory quarantine restrictions on their return home.

The four host countries have been confirmed as Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago with 10 venues hosting matches. The format will see the top two teams from each of the four groups advance to the Super League while the remaining teams feature in the Plate across 23 days of competition.

The 48-match schedule will begin with hosts West Indies taking on Australia, with Sri Lanka facing Scotland in Guyana on 14 January. The group stage will take place across Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago between 14 and 22 January.

Trinidad and Tobago will host the Plate competition between 25 and 31 January, with the Super League taking place in Antigua and Barbuda from 26 January. The semi-finals will be played on 1 February across two venues; the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground and Coolidge Cricket Ground on 2 February. The Final on 5 February will also be held at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.

The West Indies have won the title once in 2016, with India being crowned champions four times, Australia three times, Pakistan twice while England, South Africa and Bangladesh have won it once each.

There will be 16 warm-up matches taking place between 9 and 12 January in St Kitts and Nevis and Guyana.

ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Groupings:

Group A - Bangladesh, England, Canada, United Arab Emirates

Group B - India, Ireland, South Africa, Uganda

Group C - Afghanistan, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Zimbabwe

Group D - Australia, Scotland, Sri Lanka, West Indies

ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup match schedule:

14 January - West Indies v Australia, Guyana National Stadium, Guyana

Sri Lanka v Scotland, Everest Cricket Club, Guyana

15 January - Canada v UAE, Conaree Cricket Center, St Kitts and Nevis

India v South Africa, Guyana National Stadium, Guyana

Ireland v Uganda, Everest Cricket Club, Guyana

Pakistan v PNG, Queens Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago

16 January - Bangladesh v England,

Warner Park Cricket Stadium, St Kitts and Nevis

Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, Diego Martin Sporting Complex, Trinidad and Tobago

17 January - West Indies v Scotland, Warner Park Cricket Stadium, St Kitts and Nevis

Australia v Sri Lanka, Conaree Cricket Center, St Kitts and Nevis

18 January - England v Canada, Warner Park Cricket Stadium, St Kitts and Nevis

South Africa v Uganda, Queens Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago

Afghanistan v PNG, Diego Martin Sporting Complex, Trinidad and Tobago

19 January - Australia v Scotland, Conaree Cricket Center, St Kitts and Nevis

India v Ireland, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago

20 January - England v UAE, Warner Park Cricket Stadium, St Kitts and Nevis