Under-19 cricket WC gets under way

LAHORE: The ICC U19 Cricket World 2018 Cup officially got underway in style at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Sunday with an impressive ceremony showcasing New Zealand’s culture.

According to reports received here the ceremony was attended by representatives of all the 16 participating sides, Christchurch Councillor Aaron Keown, as well as New Zealand Cricket President Debbie Hockley, who, on behalf of the ICC and NZC, welcomed the teams to the tournament.

The tournament proper gets underway on 13 January with matches spread across seven venues in the cities of Christchurch, Queenstown, Tauranga and Whangarei. The winners will be crowned in Tauranga on 3 February. The teams will get a chance to get into their groove with practice matches in Christchurch from 8-11 January.

The squads, officials and other spectators present at the event enjoyed the short opening programme, the highlight of which were traditional Maori dances. The cultural event was followed by photo shoots of participating teams in a festive atmosphere that saw the teams mingling with each other.

New Zealand Cricket President Debbie Hockley: “This event plays an important role in developing its participants into international professionals, teaching them invaluable lessons in camaraderie, discipline, leadership, playing under pressure and, of course, appreciating the spirit of the game.”

Tournament Director Brendan Bourke: “Never before has an opening event taken place at an ICC U19 Cricket World Cup featuring all 16 teams, so we jumped at the opportunity to create a very special occasion for them.”

The teams attending the opening ceremony were enthusiastic about the event with the captains looking to make the maximum of the chances that come their way. Pakistan captain Hassan Khan said on the occasion: “Our aim is to win the tournament. We have prepared well and hopefully we will perform well and make it three times for Pakistan and catch up with India and Australia (who have won three times each). Most of us are touring New Zealand for the first time but we are adjusting well and have a good chance to express ourselves.”