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Ian Bishop and Tom Moody pick six U-19 World Cup stars for the future

A Babar Azam dead-ringer, a Cummins-like pacer: six U-19 stars for the future

Haider Ali's balance and cover-driving reminds Ian Bishop of Babar Azam  •  Getty Images

Haider Ali's balance and cover-driving reminds Ian Bishop of Babar Azam  •  Getty Images

Between them, Ian Bishop and Tom Moody have watched many Under-19 World Cups, through their time as respected broadcasters. Moody is also a widely respected coach around the world, most recently on the franchise T20 circuit. ESPNcricinfo caught up with them on the latest Stump Mic podcast, where they looked at the 2020 Under-19 World Cup so far, explained why only a few youth cricketers graduate to the senior level in international cricket, and the importance of the "eye test" - how talent-spotting at this level goes beyond statistics, and is a craft perfected over years of experience.
Here are Bishop and Moody's top three picks from the U-19 World Cup, who they predict will make the step up to the senior international level.

Bishop's picks

It's important to stress that these are just three out of a whole number of kids that could go on and have successful careers.
He hasn't had a great tournament in terms of numbers, but every time he has walked out to bat, you see a kid who has talent beyond many of his contemporaries. So once he gets into the right system, he has all the strokes, he has a good back-foot game, a good front-foot game. I'm looking forward to seeing how he develops from Australia's point of view.
Gerald Coetzee, South Africa
I have to stick with fast bowling. Even from the 2018 World Cup, I've really thought he's a stand-out performer, that he will play international cricket at some point for South Africa, if he stays there. And I hope that he will stay there [and not go Kolpak or seek opportunities outside] and play for South Africa.
Haider Ali, Pakistan
He played some cover drives yesterday [against Afghanistan] that reminded me of Babar Azam, simply because of the balance in his shots. He seems to have a good temperament as well, and unfortunately he got run-out. But I'm really looking forward to seeing how he progresses. Haider, just like the other two and some others in this tournament, should go on to have good international careers.

Moody's picks

I think he's a very organized cricketer technically, and also I think he understands the nuances of the game, how to adapt his game according to the match situation. That's reflected by how he has held himself back to a certain degree [whenever his team has needed it], because he came here with a reputation of someone who was going to go at a run a ball. But he has been prepared to be restricted, to get the runs that are required.
Jayden Seales, West Indies
Really exciting to watch him bowl. He's got some terrific skill already to his armoury, and got genuine pace for an Under-19 kid. But he gathers pace off the wicket, which I like...which tells me he's got a very good wrist. He snaps through his wrist, which is a bit like Pat Cummins does very, very effectively. So, they are the type of bowlers that bother the batsmen, because they gather pace off the wicket, they [get the ball to] climb off the wicket into the bat. He's definitely one to look out for.
Tall left-hander from Gloucester. Another opening bat. To me, he looked ready to play first-class cricket, and looked like he'd been playing it for two years. I'd be surprised if he's not playing at the highest level within a short period of time, just like the other two that I mentioned.
You can listen to the full Stump Mic episode on ESPN Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform of your choice