Pakistan in Group C of ICC U19 World Cup.

LAHORE -- Pakistan has been placed in group C of the ICC U19 World Cup, to be played in January next year in South Africa.

Pakistan's other group C teams are Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Scotland, according to the information made available here on Thursday by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

As many as 16 teams will compete in the event and its final will be played on February 9, 2020.

Following is the formation of teams placed in other groups:-

Group A: India, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Japan

Group B: Australia, England, West Indies, Nigeria

Group D: Afghanistan, South Africa, UAE, Canada

Hosts South Africa will open their campaign against Afghanistan on January 17 at Diamond Oval in Kimberley in the Junior World Cup.

In other matches, slated over the first few days, New Zealand take on Japan who will be making their debut in an ICC global event at the North West University Oval. In Potchefstroom, on 18 January, while defending champions India play Sri Lanka at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on 19 January. Nigeria, who are also making their ICC event debut will face Australia in Kimberley on 20 Jan for their opening game.

Benoni and Kimberley are the other host cities for the 13th edition of the tournament, being played as per the format used in previous editions, with the second phase dividing the teams into Super League and Plate tournaments. The top two teams from each of the four groups advance to the Super League while the remaining teams feature in the Plate championship.

The JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom will be a key venue as it hosts two Super League quarterfinals, both semi-finals and the final.

The top 11 full Members in the last edition in New Zealand and the five regional champions, who have qualified for the event, will also play warm-up matches from 12-15 January in Johannesburg and Pretoria. Nigeria (Africa) also make an appearance for the first time along with Japan (East Asia Pacific). Nigeria (Africa) and Japan (East Asia Pacific) are joined by other regional qualifiers Canada...