The Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark Progress in Quest for U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 Berth
The Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark Progress in Quest for U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 Berth
In an exciting turn of events, the young cricket stars from the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark have advanced in their quest for a berth in the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026. The ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Division 2 Europe Qualifier, held in Denmark, witnessed fierce competition and remarkable performances, culminating in a tense victory for the Netherlands over Sweden.
Netherlands Triumphs in a Tense Battle
The Netherlands emerged victorious in a nail-biting match against Sweden, securing their place as winners of the Division 2 Qualifier. Chasing a modest target of 87, the Dutch team reached the goal with four wickets to spare. Shirsak Banerjee and Azzam Khan played pivotal roles, each taking three wickets to restrict Sweden to a low total. Despite a shaky start that saw them at 50 for five, Aadit Jain and Mark Wolfe guided the team to victory, sparking celebrations among the Dutch squad.
Netherlands captain Cedric de Lange expressed his joy, stating, “We are very pleased to win this Division 2 qualifier and ultimately qualify for the Europe Qualifier in 2025. With another year of learning and development under our belt, we hope to compete and challenge for the Europe Qualifier title and earn our spot at the U19 World Cup.”
Sweden’s Strong Performance
Despite the loss in the final, Sweden displayed a commendable performance throughout the tournament, securing their progression to the next stage of qualification. Sweden captain Bilal Khattak reflected on their journey, saying, “We are very honoured to have participated in this competition and are pleased to have qualified to the next stage in 2nd place. We are excited about the chance of testing ourselves in next year’s Europe Qualifier.”
Denmark Secures the Final Spot
Host nation Denmark clinched the third and final qualification spot by defeating Italy in a decisive match. Denmark's impressive 85-run victory was highlighted by outstanding bowling from Jabran Khan, who took four wickets for seven runs, and Muhammad Iyas Zawar, who claimed three wickets for four runs.
Denmark captain Mustakim Aslam commented on their achievement, “It was a great week for personal development and for the team. We bonded much more as a team, and that showed in our game. We are now looking forward to playing next year in the Europe Qualifier. We have worked hard for it, and in the end, it all paid off.”
Looking Ahead
With their spots secured, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark now prepare for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Europe Qualifier next year. They will compete against Guernsey, Jersey, and Scotland for the coveted tickets to Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The journey continues for these promising young cricketers, and their performances in Denmark have set the stage for an exciting next chapter in their quest for World Cup glory.
Reference
The Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark progress in quest for U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 berth
Former India Cricketer Anshuman Gaekwad Dies After Long Battle With Cancer
Former India Cricketer And Head Coach Anshuman Gaekwad Dies Aged 71
Check out the above links for more details