Sports Desk:

The International Cricket Council on Wednesday unveiled the full fixture list for the 2026 ICC U-19 World Cup, confirming a challenging path ahead for Bangladesh’s junior side.

Bangladesh have been placed in a competitive Group C alongside India, New Zealand and the United States. Their campaign will begin with a high-voltage opener against arch-rivals India on 17 January in Bulawayo — a clash expected to set the early tone for their World Cup ambitions.

They will remain at the same venue for their second match on 20 January, where they face New Zealand, a team renowned for disciplined youth structures. The Young Tigers will wrap up their group-stage assignments on 23 January against the United States, a fixture that could prove decisive for their progression to the next round.

The tournament will officially start on 15 January with the United States taking on India, while hosts Zimbabwe face Scotland and debutants Tanzania meet the West Indies on the opening day. Japan, who last appeared in the 2020 edition where Bangladesh clinched their maiden U-19 World Cup title, also return to the global stage.

The 2026 edition, to be staged in Zimbabwe from 15 January to 6 February, will feature 16 teams divided into four groups, with a total of 41 matches scheduled across 23 days.