DUNEDIN, New Zealand (CMC) – International cricket chief Haroon Lorgat yesterday hailed the value of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup, saying it had made a precious contribution to the development of the sport professionally.

“It’s been shown over and over that a number of players come through this event, and very shortly afterwards they’re on the international arena in a meaningful way,” said Lorgat, the International Cricket Council’s chief executive while speaking at the official launch of the tournament here.

“Wayne Parnell (South African fast bowler) had hardly finished playing at the Under-19 level when he was picked in the international side. This reflects the close migration from the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup tournament to the international stage.”

The tournament, which includes the 2004 beaten finalist West Indies, will be played from January 15-30 and involves 16 teams.

West Indies have been installed in Group D along with Pakistan, Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea, a zone which will be contested in Napier and Palmerston North.

The Caribbean side open their campaign against Pakistan while title-holders India will start the defence of their title against qualifiers Afghanistan.

Lorgat said the tournament had emerged as one of the ICC’s flagship programmes, alongside the major tournaments like the senior CWC.

“It’s an extremely important event for us at the ICC,” he said.

“We’ve pencilled this in as one of our major events going into the future. The ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup deserves to be put alongside the ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC World Twenty20, ICC Champions Trophy and the ICC Women’s World Cup.

“This ICC Under-19 CWC is the most important event that those under-19 players will play at this stage in their careers.