The ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand is veering towards its conclusion with just three matches remaining.

The past month has seen 16 of the world’s best youth teams battle it out for junior cricket’s most coveted prize.

Australia and India will contest Saturday’s final with both teams searching for their fifth crown but prior to the contest we look at the top five players from what has been an enthralling tournament so far.

SHUBMAN GILL (INDIA)

The Punjab-born 18-year-old has been the tournament’s best batsman so far. There can be no doubt about his temperament either after his match-winning unbeaten 102 against arch-rivals Pakistan in Tuesday’s semi-finals.

His three innings prior to the Pakistan clash had yielded scores of 63, 90no and 86. With a batting average of 170, it is no wonder that Gill has bagged a lucrative IPL contract.

Gill led his team to the final with a brilliant 102 against Pakistan.

HARRY BROOK (ENGLAND)

The Yorkshire batsman has been the shining light for England in the tournament with some eye-catching performances with the bat. He has been dismissed only twice in the tournament and scored a classy unbeaten 102 against Bangladesh in the group stages.

Brook has been averaging almost 120 with the bat and has also shown his all-round capabilities by chipping in with two wickets.

Brook has been England’s best batsman in the World Cup.

QAIS AHMAD (AFGHANISTAN)

With 14 scalps in five matches, the Afghanistan leg-spinner is the leading wicket-taker in the World Cup so far. He was instrumental in his side’s dream run to the semi-finals where they perished at the hands of the Australians.

His best performance came in the quarter-finals against hosts New Zealand where he returned with match-winning figures of 4-33.

Ahmad has been the star of Afghanistan’s run to the semi-finals.

ANUKUL ROY (INDIA)

He might not be the leading wicket-taker but with an insane bowling average of 7.91 and an economy rate of just 3.6, India’s left-arm spinner Anukul Roy has been up there with the best.

He was extremely lethal in the group-stages where his 5-15 against Papua New Guinea and 4-20 against Zimbabwe paved the way for some big wins for India.

Roy’s average is second to none in the tournament.

SHAHEEN AFRIDI (PAKISTAN)

The Pakistan teenager is the latest product to be churned out of the country’s fast-bowling factory and he’s shown he has all the tools to make it big at the senior level.

The left-arm pacer has picked up 12 wickets in five matches at an average of 14.58. The 17-year-old was sensational against the Irish where he ran through their batting order with 6-15.

Shaheen has all the tools to be the next big thing for Pakistan cricket.