ICC prepares to launch U-19 World Cup

The ICC will officially launch the Under-19 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur this Wednesday.

The tournament takes place in Malaysia between February 17 and March 2 and will spread over three cities - Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor. Besides the ICC's 10 Full Members and hosts Malaysia, five qualifiers - Namibia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Ireland and Bermuda - will take part.

The 16 teams have been divided into four groups with the top two teams progressing to the Super League quarter-finals while the two bottom teams from each group will play in the Plate Championship quarter-finals.

The winners of the Super League quarter-finals will qualify for the semi-finals whereas the losing quarter-finalists will play in the Super League play-offs. The winners of the Plate Championship quarter-finals will play in the Plate Championship semi-finals while the beaten quarter-finalists will participate in the Plate Championship play-offs.