Young stars on the rise
After the inaugural U19 Women’s World Cup last year, a number of next-gen players have moved up the ranks. A look at some of them who can set the tournament alive in the UAE…
Marufa Akter (19, BAN)
The pace sensation is not new to the senior level. She was there in South Africa last year and lit up the stage with her raw pace. The pacer has only upskilled since the last edition and has the ability to take conditions out of the equation.
Vishmi Gunaratne (19, SL)
From making headlines in school cricket to becoming one of the rising stars of Sri Lanka, Gunaratne has grown leaps and bounds in the last couple of years. The opening batter provides perfect foil to the skipper’s aggression at the top.
Seshnie Naidu (18, SA)
The leg-spinner from South Africa is one of the talents to keep an eye on. Still very young in her international career — she made her senior debut in Pakistan last month — will be complementing Nonkululeko Mlaba in the middle-overs.
Ayanda Hlubi (20, SA)
Another U19 WC star from South Africa, the pacer has already made her debut in all three formats. Breaking into the Proteas pace attack will not be easy. It all will depend on the conditions and balance they want to maintain during the WC.
Zaida James (19, WI)
The left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder was the leading wicket-taker for West Indies in the U19 WC. In the year after, she has already played 12 ODIs and 14 T20Is for WI. In all likelihood, she will share the new ball with Hayley Matthews.
Katherine Fraser (19, SCO)
From the age of 15 when she made her T20I debut, the offie has been earmarked as one for the future. Whether it is the RHF Trophy in England or for Scotland, wherever she plays, Fraser makes a mark. Will be crucial for Scotland’s chances of causing upsets.
