TEAM GROUPINGS for the 2012 Under 19 cricket World Cup in Australia have been finalised by the International Cricket Council.

2000 and 2008 champion India has been drawn in Group C along with Papua New Guinea, West Indies and Zimbabwe.

Defending champion Australia will head Group A, having been drawn alongside 1998 winner England, Nepal and Ireland.

Group B is made up of the last event’s runner-up and two-time winner Pakistan, New Zealand, Scotland and Afghanistan.

Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bangladesh and Namibia make up Group D.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat highlighted that the tournament has proved to be an important stepping stone for elite young cricketers aspiring to play international cricket.

He said it is an opportunity for them to develop and test their skills in a high-pressure situation against the world’s best at this level.

“In the past, we have seen some quality players come through the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup, including star players like Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yuvraj Singh, Brian Lara, Ian Bell, Virat Kohli, Eoin Morgan, Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla,” Lorgat said.

“I expect next year’s event to be no different in producing future world stars,” he added.