Future stars: Teammates tip U19 T20 World Cup standouts

By Phil Prior and Daniel Beswick

Proven match-winners, warm-up standouts and net session head-turners.

One certainty of the 2025 ICC Women's U19 T20 World Cup is that the cricket world will see an emergence of new heroes, ready to write their own history in cricket's newest global tournament.

A look at those tipped to shine in the Malaysian sun, from returning players building on the 2023 World Cup experience to a new class of cricketers about to stand up for their team.

Group A

India

There's once again no shortage of individual talent for India, as the class of 2025 aim to emulate the success of their compatriots two years ago.

Powering her side with the bat to an U19 Asia Cup win last month, Hyderabad's Trisha G is known for her top-order aggression and should be confident of an even stronger showing on the world stage, having been a squad member two years ago.

With the ball, there could well be a three-pronged left-arm orthodox attack, with each member of the trio touted for success.

Parunika Sisodia, Sonam Yadav and Aayushi Shukla could all lay claim to being the frontrunner, all enjoying a successful Asia Cup campaign also on Malaysian soil.

While Shukla claimed wicket-tally bragging rights at the tournament (10), Yadav went at a rate of just 2.08 runs per over, taking her eight wickets at an average of 3.12.

Malaysia

The hosts' hopes of making any headway at the tournament sit largely on the shoulders of skipper Nur Dania Syuhada, an off-spinner hailing from Kuching on the island of Borneo.

Syuhada was canny in a three-wicket haul in a warm-up defeat against Australia, though found help in the form of leg-spinner Siti Nazwah. Marsya Qistina is another bowler to keep tabs on.

Sri Lanka

The subcontinent outfit boasts an accomplished lineup, headlined by 16-year-old star Shashini Gimhani, who last year became the youngest player to represent the national team at just 15 years and 144 days.

Gimhani's ability to bowl spin with both hands is well-documented, and the senior national team experience would have only enhanced her game, as opponents scratch their heads when she steps up to bowl.

Skipper Manudi Nanayakkara is in form, scoring a 50 off 45 balls earlier this month in the second of four T20 games against Bangladesh.

West Indies

The West Indies take a mostly new-look squad to Malaysia, retaining just two players from the side that competed in 2023.

The team's hopes may primarily rest on all-round sensation Asabi Callender, who is also the vice captain. The 19-year-old is a dual-sport athlete, having also represented Barbados in Javelin.

Captain and right arm off-spinner Samara Ramnath took two wickets in the final of the Women's Caribbean Premier League in August last year. The 17-year-old took a combined five wickets from her final three T20s for the Trinbago Knight Riders, who were beaten by four wickets in the decider against the Barbados Royals.

Group B

England

Those who follow England domestic cricket will be familar with Davina Perrin, who returns after taking part in the inaugural edition of the tournament two years ago in South Africa.

Perrin herself has earmarked leg-spinner Eve O'Neill as a tough proposition, while Charlotte Lambert has built a reputation in the nets as a fiery fast bowler willing to bowl short.

Tilly Corteen-Coleman also has enjoyed early English senior domestic cricket success, with the left-arm orthodox spinner boasting the wicket of Meg Lanning in The Hundred.

Ireland

When asked about tricky customers in the nets, many of the Ireland group picked out left-armer Jenni Jackson as the bowler who asks the most questions, with an inswinging yorker and a mix of pace and angle against the right-handed batters noted.

Jackson, who models her bowling on fellow left-armer, Australian Mitchell Starc, is another returning player from the 2023 tournament. She was thrown into the deep end two years ago, only featuring with the ball in an imposing Super Six encounter with England, and up against the likes of Liberty Heap and Grace Scrivens with the new ball.

Partial to clever scoops and 360-degree batting Annabel Squires made an unbeaten fifty in Ireland's last match in the 2023 campaign, while Rebecca Lowe is a first-time squad member tipped to flourish.

Pakistan

The talk in the Pakistan camp has centred around both Komal Khan and Mahnoor Zeb, who at just 16 and 15 respectively could make senior international debuts while still eligible for future U19 World Cups.

Komal will open the innings for Pakistan, though looks adept at playing cross-bat shots when the ball is pitched shorter, and will be desperate to kick on and make a big score early in the tournament to lift the rest of the team.

Left-armer Mahnoor, whose action bears a resemblance to Jasprit Bumrah, will likely take the new ball with Fatima Khan.

United States

While a majority of the USA cohort look to Chetna Pagydyala as one to watch, the one-time ODI centurion has already made a mark in senior international cricket, like a number of players in the country's push to accelerate the youth through.

As a result, there is a confidence in the squad in spite of taking part in a tricky group, and several players have pitched in across their two warm-up game wins.

It's a case of pick your poison in a line-up that could well be a left-field tip for a semi-final spot. Captain Anika Kolan, opener Disha Dingra, all-rounder Isani Vaghela, Aditiba Chudasama among others have made senior team contributions, while late-innings dasher Pooja Ganesh has brief experience at the next level.

There are also high hopes for 15-year-old Maahi Madhavan, the youngest squad member.

Group C

New Zealand

New Zealand will lean on the all-round contributions of several emerging talents, as they look to keep pace in Group C.

Batting all-rounder Emma McLeod is one of only two players that were a part of their 2023 World Cup semi-final run, which ended with an eight-wicket loss to India. In October 2024, McLeod took 1/35 off five overs in a 50-match as part of New Zealand's U19 tour of Australia, before scoring an impressive 43 off 45 balls.

Eighteen-year-old Kate Irwin will also be required to step up, as a right arm quick that also bats up the order. The Auckland product is the younger sister of Emma, who was also involved in their 2023 campaign.

Nigeria

Having negotiated a competitive African Qualifier to book Malaysia tickets, and after two strong warm-up performances, there's plenty to be excited about in Nigerian cricket circles now and into the future.

Led by all-rounder Lucky Piety, the side is not short of individual standouts.

Victory Igbinedion is the star of the batting line-up, having excelled in qualifying and in warm-up action in Malaysia.

Others in Africa have described the Nigerian group at the tournament as a golden generation, with the zip of Lilian Ude, Peace Usen's flighted spin, and Peculiar Agboya's hitting ability all noted.

Samoa

Shocking Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Fiji in qualifying, Samoa's batting group is headlined by Verra Ferane, who should also be deployed in the middle overs with her right-arm seam.

Avetia Mapu's path to U19 national team captaincy is a curious one, having first excelled in Kilikiti, a Polynesia form of the game, and only playing standard cricket for just over a year. Mapu was raced into senior international cricket in January 2024 at the Women's T20 Pacific Cup in Auckland, playing alongside Tuaoloa Helen Semau, her U19 coach.

Angel Sootaga So is already a senior international and took part in Samoa's qualification campaign for the last senior T20 World Cup.

South Africa

South Africa were imperious in a lead-in home series against Ireland in the second half of 2024, claiming a 5-0 series, and the group brings extensive experience from the last U19 T20 World Cup campaign.

Leg-spinner Seshnie Naidu needs almost no introduction, having been thrust in the senior national team against Pakistan in September, while there is a buzz around Karabo Meso from her teammates, as a late-over hitter who will likely keep wicket.

Only bowling two overs at the last U19 T20 World Cup, Monalisa Legodi has gone on to make waves for the Titans in South African domestic cricket, and her seam should play a starring role in her second campaign.

Western Province mainstay Kayla Reyneke leads the team and will bat in the middle overs, most likely bowling four overs with her off-spin as well.

Group D

Australia

In November, Aussie captain Lucy Hamilton skipped her end-of-school celebrations for an opportunity she grabbed with both hands, becoming the youngest player in WBBL history to take a five-wicket haul.

Hamilton, who plays with the Brisbane Heat, finished with figures of 5/8, the equal-best figures in the competition's 10-year history. She is one of five Aussies returning for their second ICC U19 World Cup.

Caoimhe Bray on the other hand brings the youth at just 15 years of age. But the young gun offers quality in spades, having already proven herself at this level with key contributions for Australia in last September's U19 tri-series that involved New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

Bray draws apt comparisions to Aussie megastar Ellyse Perry, not just because she's capable with both bat and ball, but also given she is a goalkeeper for the junior Australian football team.

The all-rounder made her debut for the Sydney Sixers recently, becoming the youngest player to feature in a WBBL match.

Bangladesh

After falling agonisingly short of the semi-finals stage in 2023, Bangladesh will have a steely determination in Malaysia.

Captain Sumaiya Akter is a returning member of the team from two years ago, scoring 65 runs at a 21.66 average, including 31* against semi-finalist Australia, in the corresponding 2023 tournament.

Sumaiya has since enjoyed a taste of both One-Day International and T20I cricket. The 19-year-old all-rounder made her ODI debut against Australia in March last year.

Look out for right arm fast bowler Habiba Islam, who last year became the second-youngest Women's cricketer to play at Bangladesh national level, debuting at the age of 14 in May last year in a T20I against India.

Off-spinner Nishita Akter Nishi is the other Bangladeshi with International experience, making her ODI debut in November 2023.

Nepal

There's no secret that for Nepal to make a stamping impression on the tournament, captain and all-rounder Puja Mahato must lead from the front.

A hero of qualification, Mahato plundered 130 not out from 69 balls against Kuwait in their run to booking Malaysia tickets, also playing a key role in their final day victory against UAE, as the Nepalis overtook their opponents on net run rate with the win.

Nepal were a little bare in the wickets column at the recent U19 Asia Cup, but there are high hopes for the likes of Riya Sharma and Seemana KC, with Sharma claiming a three-wicket haul in their warm-up match against USA.

Scotland

Desperate to improve from their effort two years ago, Scotland carry second-time experience to Malaysia for the 2025 edition through a handful of players, including now-captain Niamh Muir and hard-hitting opener Emma Walsingham.

After being drafted into the 2023 squad at the 11th hour as an injury replacement, Kirsty McColl meanwhile appears at her second U19 World Cup, eager to take the field and follow in the footsteps of older sister and senior international Megan.