Australia and India dominate the Under-19 World Cup era, each claiming five titles. Collectively responsible for two-thirds of all championships, they have reached 13 finals, produced multiple future internationals, and consistently set the benchmark for elite youth cricket development worldwide.
Australia’s U19 teams have won finals by margins as large as 113 runs (2002) and 79 runs (2024), underlining their bowling depth. India remains the most consistent side, reaching nine finals and winning five, including overseas titles in Australia (2012) and the Caribbean (2022). Pakistan claimed back-to-back trophies in 2004 and 2006, while South Africa’s only triumph came in 2014. West Indies (2016) and Bangladesh (2020) recorded historic first-time victories.
In this article, the ICC Under-19 World Cup Winners List is examined across all 15 finals played from 1988 to 2024, highlighting how youth cricket success translates into long-term international strength.
ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup Winners
The ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup has been a launching pad for future international stars since its inception in 1987/88. This table presents a season-wise record of tournament winners alongside the host nations.
| Season | Winner | Runners up | Host Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987/88 | Australia Under-19 | Pakistan Under-19 | Australia |
| 1997/98 | England Under-19 | New Zealand Under-19 | South Africa |
| 1999/00 | India Under-19 | Sri Lanka Under-19 | Sri Lanka |
| 2001/02 | Australia Under-19 | South Africa Under-19 | New Zealand |
| 2003/04 | Pakistan Under-19 | West Indies Under-19 | Bangladesh |
| 2005/06 | Pakistan Under-19 | India Under-19 | Sri Lanka |
| 2007/08 | India Under-19 | South Africa Under-19 | Malaysia |
| 2009/10 | Australia Under-19 | Pakistan Under-19 | New Zealand |
| 2012 | India Under-19 | Australia Under-19 | Australia |
| 2013/14 | South Africa Under-19 | Pakistan Under-19 | United Arab Emirates |
| 2015/16 | West Indies Under-19 | India Under-19 | Bangladesh |
| 2017/18 | India Under-19 | Australia Under-19 | New Zealand |
| 2019/20 | Bangladesh Under-19 | India Under-19 | South Africa |
| 2021/22 | India Under-19 | England Under-19 | West Indies |
| 2023/24 | Australia Under-19 | India Under-19 | South Africa |
Across 15 editions of the ICC Under-19 World Cup, only six nations have lifted the trophy, underlining how competitive yet exclusive the winners’ circle remains. New Zealand and South Africa are the most frequent hosts, staging the tournament three times each, yet New Zealand has never crowned a home champion.
1. 1987/88 – Australia
Australia won the inaugural McDonald’s Bicentennial Youth World Cup by defeating Pakistan by 5 wickets in the final at Adelaide on 13 March 1988. Batting first, Pakistan Young Cricketers scored 201, showing resistance but failing to accelerate in the closing overs of their 50-over innings. Chasing 202, Australia produced a composed response, reaching 202/5 in 45.5 overs, with 25 balls remaining, highlighting their superior game management.
The standout performance came from Brett Williams, who was named Player of the Match after scoring a match-defining 108 off 134 balls, anchoring the chase under pressure. His century remains one of the earliest iconic knocks in U19 World Cup finals history. This victory not only secured Australia’s first youth world title but also set the template for their long-term dominance in age-group cricket.
2. 1997/98 – England
England secured their only ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup title by defeating New Zealand Under-19s by 7 wickets in the final at Johannesburg on 1 February 1998. Batting first, New Zealand posted a competitive 241/6, building their innings through steady top-order contributions rather than late acceleration. Chasing 242, England produced a controlled, mature batting display, reaching 242/3 in 46 overs with 24 balls remaining, underlining their dominance in pressure conditions.
The defining performance came from Stephen Peters, who was named Player of the Match after scoring a composed 107 off 125 balls, anchoring the chase and neutralizing New Zealand’s bowling attack. England’s disciplined approach, strong partnerships, and calm finishing reflected the strength of their youth system during the late 1990s. Several players from this squad later became regulars in county cricket, reinforcing England’s development pathway. The 1998 triumph remains England’s sole U19 world title, highlighting the rarity and significance of youth world championship success.
3. 1999/00 – India
India clinched their maiden ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup title by defeating Sri Lanka Under-19s by 6 wickets in the final at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo, on 28 January 2000. Batting first in home conditions, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 178, struggling against India’s disciplined bowling attack that applied constant pressure through the middle overs. Chasing a modest target of 179, India reached 180/4 in just 40.4 overs, finishing the match with 56 balls remaining, underlining their composure in a high-stakes final.
The decisive contribution came from Reetinder Sodhi, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 39 off 43 balls, guiding India safely through the chase. The tournament belonged to Yuvraj Singh, who was awarded Player of the Series after scoring 203 runs and taking 12 wickets, a rare all-round feat at the U19 level. Winning the title away from home marked a turning point, laying the foundation for India’s sustained dominance in youth world cricket.
4. 2001/02 – Australia
Australia reclaimed the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup title by defeating South Africa Under-19s by 7 wickets in the final at Lincoln on 9 February 2002. Batting first, South Africa scored 206/9, putting up a competitive total but failing to capitalize in the closing overs against disciplined Australian bowling fully. In response, Australia chased down 207 with authority, reaching 209/3 in 45.1 overs, with 29 balls remaining, underlining their control in a pressure-filled final.
The standout performance came from Aaron Bird, who was named Player of the Match for his incisive spell of 4 for 47, which broke South Africa’s middle order and prevented a late surge. Australia’s top order then ensured a calm chase, showcasing maturity beyond their years. Despite missing the final, Tatenda Taibu (Zimbabwe) dominated the tournament, earning Player of the Series honors with 250 runs and 12 wickets, a rare all-round achievement. Australia’s 2002 triumph delivered their second U19 world title, reinforcing their reputation as one of the strongest and most structured youth systems in global cricket.
5. 2003/04 – Pakistan
Pakistan lifted their first ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup title by defeating West Indies Under-19s by 25 runs in the day-night final at Dhaka on 5 March 2004. Batting first, Pakistan Under-19s posted 230/9 in 50 overs, recovering well after losing wickets at regular intervals and showing depth through the middle order. Asif Iqbal anchored the innings by scoring a composed 54 off 72 balls, earning him the Player of the Match award for stabilizing Pakistan’s innings under final-day pressure.
Chasing 231, West Indies were bowled out for 205 in 47.1 overs, unable to maintain momentum against Pakistan’s disciplined seam-spin combination and sharp fielding in the closing stages. The victory marked Pakistan’s arrival as a major force in youth cricket and initiated a short period of dominance at the U19 level. The tournament’s standout performer was Shikhar Dhawan (India), named Player of the Series after scoring a record 505 runs, the highest tally in a single U19 World Cup at the time.
6. 2005/06 – Pakistan
Pakistan successfully defended their ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup title by defeating India Under-19s by 38 runs in the final at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on 19 February 2006. In a dramatic, low-scoring day-night final, Pakistan Under-19s were bowled out for 109, struggling to build partnerships on a challenging surface offering seam movement and variable bounce.
Despite the modest total, Pakistan’s bowlers produced a stunning collective effort, reducing India to 71 all out in just 18.5 overs while chasing 110. The match-defining performance came from Anwar Ali, who was deservedly named Player of the Match after contributing 17 off 42 balls and delivering a decisive bowling spell of 5 for 35, dismantling India’s top and middle order. Although India fell short in the final, Cheteshwar Pujara was named Player of the Series after scoring 349 runs, highlighting his consistency throughout the tournament. Pakistan’s back-to-back titles in 2004 and 2006 marked their most successful era in U19 World Cup history.
7. 2007/08 – India
India secured their second ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup title by defeating South Africa Under-19s by 12 runs (D/L method) in a rain-affected final at Kuala Lumpur on 2 March 2008. India Under-19s batted first on a slow surface and got bowled out for 159, building their total through patience rather than aggression in challenging scoring conditions. Persistent rain reduced South Africa’s chase to 25 overs, revising the target to 116 under the Duckworth–Lewis method.
South Africa struggled to keep up with the required rate and finished on 103/8, despite attempts to rebuild after losing early wickets. India’s bowlers, led by Ajitesh Argal, dominated the game with a decisive spell of 2 for 7, which earned him the Player of the Match award for his impressive control in the shortened contest. The final highlighted India’s tactical discipline and adaptability in unfamiliar Malaysian conditions. While India lifted the trophy, Tim Southee (New Zealand) dominated the tournament overall, claiming 17 wickets to be named Player of the Series, underlining the high-quality fast bowling on display throughout the competition.
8. 2009/10 – Australia
Australia clinched their third ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup title by defeating Pakistan Under-19s by 25 runs in the final at Lincoln on 30 January 2010. Batting first, Australia Under-19s posted 207/9 in 50 overs, building their innings through steady partnerships rather than explosive hitting on a surface offering assistance to bowlers. The total proved sufficient due to Australia’s disciplined and incisive bowling display.
Chasing 208, Pakistan were bowled out for 182 in 46.4 overs, unable to maintain momentum as wickets fell regularly in the middle overs. The decisive performance came from Josh Hazlewood, who delivered a match-winning spell of 4 for 30, earning him the Player of the Match award and underlining Australia’s production of high-quality fast bowlers at the youth level. While Australia lifted the trophy, Dominic Hendricks (South Africa) topped the tournament run charts with 391 runs, finishing as Player of the Series. The 2010 triumph reinforced Australia’s sustained excellence across generations and marked another successful transition of U19 talent into senior domestic and international cricket.
9. 2012 – India
India captured their third ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup title by defeating Australia Under-19s by 6 wickets in the final at Townsville on 26 August 2012. Batting first, Australia Under-19s posted 225/8 in 50 overs, assembling a competitive total through steady contributions rather than a single dominant innings.
In response, India Under-19s chased down the target with composure, reaching 227/4 in 47.4 overs, finishing the match with 14 balls remaining. The defining performance came from Unmukt Chand, who produced one of the finest knocks in U19 final history, scoring an unbeaten 111 off 130 balls. His innings earned him the Player of the Match award and anchored India’s successful chase under pressure. While India celebrated the trophy, William Bosisto (Australia) was named Player of the Series after accumulating 276 runs, highlighting his consistency throughout the tournament.
10. 2013/14 – South Africa
South Africa lifted their first and only ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup title by defeating Pakistan Under-19s by 6 wickets in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 1 March 2014. Batting first in the day-night decider, Pakistan were bowled out for just 131, undone by relentless pace bowling and sharp fielding on a surface offering early movement.
South Africa’s chase was clinical and controlled, as they reached 134/4 in 42.1 overs, finishing the match with 47 balls remaining. The decisive impact came from Corbin Bosch, who was named Player of the Match after delivering a devastating spell of 4 for 15, dismantling Pakistan’s batting order and ensuring the target remained manageable. South Africa’s tournament success was further highlighted by Aiden Markram, who finished as Player of the Series with 370 runs, underlining his consistency and leadership. The 2014 triumph showcased South Africa’s depth in fast bowling and athleticism and remains their sole U19 world championship victory.
11. 2015/16 – West Indies
West Indies pulled off one of the biggest upsets in ICC Under-19 World Cup history, defeating India Under-19s by 5 wickets to win their first U19 world title in the final at Mirpur on 14 February 2016. Batting first, India were bowled out for 145, struggling to build momentum on a slow surface that rewarded disciplined bowling and tight fielding.
Chasing 146, West Indies reached 146/5 in 49.3 overs, sealing victory with just three balls remaining in a tense finish. The defining performance came from Keacy Carty, who played a match-winning knock of 52 off 125 balls*, anchoring the chase under immense pressure and earning the Player of the Match award. His innings remains one of the most patient and impactful knocks in U19 final history. While West Indies celebrated a historic triumph, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Bangladesh) dominated the tournament overall, earning Player of the Series honors with 242 runs and 12 wickets. The 2016 victory completed a rare ICC double for West Indies, who also won the senior ICC Men’s T20 World Cup the same year.
12. 2017/18 – India
India produced a dominant performance to defeat Australia Under-19s by 8 wickets in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup final at Mount Maunganui on 3 February 2018, completing an unbeaten tournament campaign. Batting first, Australia were bowled out for 216, unable to capitalize on solid starts as India’s varied bowling attack applied sustained pressure through the middle overs.
Chasing 217, India cruised to 220/2 in just 38.5 overs, finishing the final with 67 balls remaining, underlining the gulf between the two sides on the day. The match-defining innings came from Manjot Kalra, who struck a composed and fluent 101 off 102 balls*, earning the Player of the Match award for anchoring the chase with authority. India’s dominance throughout the tournament was reflected in Shubman Gill being named Player of the Series after scoring 372 runs, including a semifinal century. The 2018 squad is widely regarded as one of the strongest U19 teams ever assembled, with multiple players later graduating to senior international and franchise cricket.
13. 2019/20 – Bangladesh
Bangladesh created history by winning their first-ever ICC title, defeating India Under-19s by 3 wickets (D/L method) in a dramatic final at Potchefstroom on 9 February 2020. Batting first, India were bowled out for 177, with the innings built around responsible top-order contributions rather than explosive acceleration.Rain interruptions altered the complexion of the chase, revising Bangladesh’s target to 170 from 46 overs. Under intense pressure in a high-stakes final, Bangladesh reached 170/7 in 42.1 overs, finishing with 23 balls remaining.
Captain Akbar Ali played the defining role, scoring a calm and match-winning 43 off 77 balls*, guiding his side through tense moments to earn the Player of the Match award. Despite the on-field tensions that followed the result, the final remains a landmark moment in Asian youth cricket, symbolizing Bangladesh’s rise as a competitive force at junior level. For India, Yashasvi Jaiswal was named Player of the Series after an outstanding tournament of 400 runs and 3 wickets, highlighting the quality on display from both finalists.
14. 2021/22 – India
India secured their fifth ICC Under-19 World Cup title by defeating England by 4 wickets in the final held at North Sound on 5 February 2022. England, batting first, were restricted to 189 all out, with India’s bowlers maintaining consistent pressure throughout the innings. The standout performer was Raj Bawa, who produced a remarkable all-round display, claiming 5 wickets for 31 runs to dismantle England’s batting and prevent them from posting a more imposing total.
In reply, India approached the chase with composure and clarity, reaching 195/6 in 47.4 overs, finishing the match with 14 balls to spare. Despite losing wickets at intervals, India’s batting depth and calm decision-making ensured the target was never out of reach. Raj Bawa further contributed with a valuable 35 runs, earning him the Player of the Match award for his match-defining performance. This victory reinforced India’s reputation as the most consistent force in Under-19 cricket, extending their record as the most successful U19 World Cup nation at the time. The tournament overall showcased emerging global talent, with Dewald Brevis of South Africa named Player of the Series after an outstanding campaign featuring 506 runs and 7 wickets, underlining the high quality of the competition.
15. 2023/24 – Australia
Australia equalled India’s record by winning their fifth ICC Under-19 World Cup title, defeating India by a commanding 79 runs in the final played at Benoni on 11 February 2024. Batting first, Australia produced a composed and well-structured innings to post 253/7, the highest total in a U19 World Cup final since 2004. Their batting effort was built around smart partnerships and controlled acceleration, ensuring a strong platform without excessive risk.
India’s reply never gained momentum as Australia’s pace attack delivered a relentless spell with the new ball. The standout performer was Mahli Beardman, who claimed 3 wickets for just 15 runs, dismantling India’s top order and earning the Player of the Match award. India were eventually bowled out for 174 in 43.5 overs, unable to recover from early losses. This final underlined Australia’s traditional strength in fast bowling and big-match execution. The triumph marked a return to dominance at the youth level and reaffirmed Australia’s ability to produce tournament-winning generations. The tournament also highlighted South Africa’s emerging talent, with Kwena Maphaka named Player of the Series after an exceptional haul of 21 wickets, emphasizing the depth of global youth cricket talent.
Which Under-19 World Cup Winners Went On to Become International Cricket Superstars?
Several Under-19 World Cup winners later became global cricket superstars. Yuvraj Singh was Player of the Series in India’s 2000 triumph before starring in multiple ICC titles. Virat Kohli captained India to the 2008 crown and went on to score more than 25,000 international runs.
Steve Smith (2010) evolved into Australia’s premier Test batter, while Pat Cummins from the same squad became an all-format captain. Kane Williamson led New Zealand’s 2008 team and later became one of the world’s most consistent batters. Joe Root featured in England’s 2010 campaign before becoming Test captain. Shubman Gill, Player of the Series in 2018, is now a modern-format mainstay.
It shows that the Under-19 World Cup serves as a reliable talent channel in cricket, where success at the youth level strongly correlates with future international success.
Suggested Reads:
Conclusion: Australia Under-19 And India Under-19 Dominate As Joint Most Successful Teams
Australia and India jointly dominate the tournament, winning 10 of 15 titles (66.6%), underlining the strength of their long-term youth development systems. The tournament has crowned a new champion four times, with England (1998), South Africa (2014), West Indies (2016), and Bangladesh (2020) each winning their maiden U19 World Cup title. The ICC Under-19 World Cup winners list highlights 15 tournaments played between 1988 and 2024, producing champions from six nations.
The next ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup is scheduled from 15 January to 6 February 2026, co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia with the final set for 6 February 2026 in Harare. Looking ahead, the Under-19 World Cup will continue shaping international cricket, serving as a proven pathway to elite success. Emerging nations are closing the gap, deeper scouting is expanding talent pools, and future editions will increasingly influence senior international rankings.
