A left-handed Rabada, an Aussie workhorse, Pakani prodigies and Raj from Rann of Kutch: The speedsters who set the U19 World Cup on fire | Cricket News

It was with incisive spells and a workhorse’s plod that these speedsters set the junior World Cup on fire. They wound up with a bagful of wickets along the way.
Kwena Maphaka (South Africa)
M-6, W – 21
At 17, Kwena Maphaka played his second U-19 World Cup and ended the tournament with the most number of scalps. The left-arm quick came close to equalling the record of most wickets at one edition but fell just one short of the mark of 22 wickets which was set Bangladesh’s Enamul Haque Jr in 2014. The youngster caught the eye in his home U-19 World Cup with his fiery inswinging yorkers and quick bouncers. He has already been called a left-handed Rabada. Given that Maphaka went to the same school, the comparisons with fellow St Stithians alumnus Rabada are expected. Maphaka is not as tall as Rabada but is more explosive and there is certainly more aggression in his bowling.
Ali Raza (Pakan)
M-3, W -9
The 15-year-old pacer from Pakan took his country agonisingly close to the final. Raza’s splendid spell of 4 for 34 was not enough as Australia pipped Pakan a solitary wicket. Despite the loss, in Raza, Pakan has unearthed a gem that Ian Bishop feels if nurtured carefully can become a superstar in the future. The teenager had also played a pivotal role in Pakan’s five-run win over Bangladesh in the Super Six. It was his spell that shifted the momentum towards Pakan.
The 15-year-old pacer from Pakan took his country agonisingly close to the final.
Callum Vidler (Australia)
M – 5, W – 12
Inspired fellow Queenslanders Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris, Callum Vidler went from backyard cricket through the ranks at Queensland, picking the brains of former Australia star Andy Bichel along the way. He is determined to not compromise on his pace. “If anyone ever tells me to slow down, I am not lening to them. Pace is my point of difference, my best attribute,” he was quoted saying the ICC.
Callum Vidler of Australia celebrates the wicket of Sineth Jayawardena of Sri Lanka during the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup South Africa 2024 match between Australia and Sri Lanka at Diamond Oval on January 28,
Ubaid Shah (Pakan)
M- 6, W -18
Ubaid Shah is joint second in wicket-taking charts in the World Cup. His skilful display with both the new and old ball has meant that the bowler has made an impact in all stages of the game and helped Pakan come back into matches at crucial junctures. Ubaid the younger brother of Naseem Shah is one of the standout performers of the tournament.
Raj Limbani (India)
M – 5, W – 8
Raj Limbani is not a tearaway quick but with the new ball he has done more in ten games on the dry surface of Bloemfontein than any other pacers. Most of the time he has bowled in the afternoon when there is little to no help for the seamers. Before the World Cup, Limbani was not the first-choice seamer for India. He was fourth in line after Naman Tiwari, Aradhya Shukla, and Dhanus Gowda. But it was his incisive spell of 7/13 against Nepal in the Asia Cup that helped him jump ahead of the rest.

Tom Straker (Australia)
M – 5, W – 12
Tom Straker’s 6 for 24 against Pakan are the best bowling figures in a semi-final or final of the U-19 World Cup, as he bettered Kagiso Rabada’s 6 for 25 against Australia in the 2014 semi-final. Straker has been Australia’s work horse in the tournament. “He just keeps going all day, doesn’t matter what end he bowls from, doesn’t matter how hot it is, he just keeps coming,” Australia captain Hugh Weibgen said on Straker.

Maruf Mridha (Bangladesh)
M – 5, W – 8
A look at Maruf Mridha’s bowling can easily tell you that he has modelled himself on Mustafizur Rahman. There is an uncanny similarity in how Maruf bowls. Just like his childhood hero, Maruf can bowl cutters at a brisk pace and the incoming yorkers to the right-handed batters are equally menacing.