The ICC Under-19 World Cup got underway with a vibrant opening ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.
On what was an upbeat occasion with a distinctly Malaysian feel, six high-energy drummers set the scene as music blared out across the picturesque Kinrara Oval. A para-glider landed inside the ground carrying flags of Malaysia and the International Cricket Council.
The flags were then raised by HRH Tunku Tan Sri Imran Ibni Tuanku Ja'afar, president of the Malaysian Cricket Association as he declared the seventh edition of the tournament open. All 16 squads were there on the field with their respective flag-bearers leading the way.
"This event is designed to be a finishing school for young cricketers," said ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed. "It's an opportunity for these young players to test their skills in a full ICC tournament environment against their peers from around the world.
"When I think back over previous U-19 World Cups the first thing to comes to mind is the quality of the players that have come to the fore in the senior global game having first played in this tournament. Inzamam-ul Haq, Brian Lara, Yuvraj Singh, Graeme Smith, Sanath Jayasuriya and many other fine players began their international careers on this stage.
"And I have no doubt that before us today there will is the next generation of cricketers who will excite and thrill us in future Test matches and ODIs. "
Image: Imad Wasim, captain of defending champions Pakistan and Ahmad Faiz of host nation Malaysia pose with the trophy.
Photographs: Getty Images
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