U-19 Tri-Nation Tournament 2013: Highlighting Youngsters with Senior Hopes

The kids have talent.

That’s the evidence from the opening four matches from the U-19 Tri-Nation series which has seen a number of youngsters play with maturity befitting senior internationals.

Here we take a look at three players from Pakistan, England and Bangladesh who are showing the promise required to one day make the leap to the full squad.

Sami Aslam (Pakistan)

The standout performer from Pakistan’s opening three matches, and perhaps the entire tournament, although he’s pushed close by fellow countryman and left-arm pacer Mohammad Aftab.

After struggling in the difficult Loughborough conditions in his first match, Aslam has settled in superbly making 60 against hosts England before smashing Bangladesh for 120 on Friday night to practically win the match single-handedly.

He’s not afraid to go for his shots, with an array of boundaries helping him surpass milestones with ease, and it won’t be long before the senior selectors are considering him on merit.

Given that half of Pakistan’s pool of openers, Taufeeq Umar and Imran Farhat, are entering their final years in international cricket it might not be long before Aslam is pushed into the real action.

Will Rhodes (England)

With Pakistan threatening to run out comfortable group winners, England must turn their attention to piping Bangladesh into second spot to earn a place in Trent Bridge final.

The hosts were in danger of collapsing in their opening match after Pakistan had set 288, but Rhodes and Harry Finch put on a 134-run fifth wicket partnership to almost set up an unlikely win.

Rhodes made 102 off just 83 balls to show he’s capable of going after an attack.

The Yorkshire all-rounder also took 2 for 55 with the ball, incidentally dismissing Aslam, and added further runs and a wicket in the defeat to Bangladesh.

Rhodes’ senior record isn’t without blips but if he carries on the way he’s performing then we might see him name on an Ashes team sheet one day.

Sadman Islam (Bangladesh)

This 18-year-old looks destined for the top.

He’s scored steadily for Bangladesh as opener this series, notching a tournament high of 86 against England, and if he can avoid getting run out cheaply then he’ll only get more runs.

Islam was slowly working his way towards a half-century against Pakistan on Friday when a lack of communication led to his second run out in three matches.

He struggled in the U-19s matches with Sri Lanka in April, where he failed to score over 25 runs in either of the five one-day internationals, but it looks like he’s finally finding his grove in England.