Top 5 performers from the group stage of ICC U-19 World Cup

The group stage of the ICC U-19 World Cup in Bangladesh has ended. The group stage saw some surprising exits in the form of defending champions South Africa and entries into the knockout stage, in the form of Nepal.Such has been the quality on show that a bowler who bowls at almost 150 kmph with an economy rate under 3 (West Indies' Alzarri Joseph) and a player with two Man of the Match awards in three matches (India's Sarfaraz Khan) don't make the cut.Here are the top 5 performers from the group stage of ICC U-19 World Cup.

#5 Nazmul Hossain Shanto

Shanto has been Bangladesh’s brightest spark

One of the reasons why Bangladesh are in the quarter-final of the tournament is because of their No.4 Nazmul Hossain Shanto. Not only did he become the highest run-scorer in Under-19 one-day matches in the tournament, but he also averages a scarcely believable 200 after three matches.

With two Man of the Match awards in his side's opening two matches, it is fair to say that the 17-year-old almost single-handedly brought the hosts into the quarter-final. His first hundred of the tournament, which came against Scotland, came when his side needed it most as he came in when they were struggling at 17/2 and it was his unbeaten 113 that helped them post 256/6, which proved to be too much for Scotland.

That hundred was his second 50+ score of the tournament as he kicked off the tournament with a match-winning 73 against the defending champions South Africa. If the hosts are to reach the latter stages of the and perhaps even go on to claim the trophy, Shanto will need to maintain his incredible form.

#4 Avesh Khan

Only one bowler has taken more wickets than Avesh Khan

It is rare that the spotlight prior to the start of any World Cup is on an Indian bowler. So it was no surprise to see that prior to this tournament, all eyes were on IPL sensation Sarfaraz Khan, captain Ishan Kishan and opener Rishabh Pant.

Yet, the only Indian player, who makes the cut into this top five is Avesh Khan, India's pace spearhead and none of those batsmen, despite their impressive performances.

While Sarfaraz was certainly unlucky to just miss out, there can be no doubt as to who India's top performer in the tournament has been so far. In three matches, not only has Avesh Khan taken 9 wickets, but his immaculate control has meant the opposition have seldom managed to get off to a flyer.

Avesh's economy rate of 3.21 and average of just 10 show just how good he has been. Captain Kishan will be hoping that the 19-year-old from Indore can keep up his strong start throughout the tournament.

#3 Saqib Mahmood

Mahmood has been outstanding although he is yet to get a MoM award

When you take 11 wickets in three matches at an average of 7.5 and economy rate of 3.5, with two four-wicket hauls, the least you expect is to finish with at least one Man of the Match award. But such has been the form of England's openers that Saqib Mahmood, despite being the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, doesn't have a single such award to his name.

But that should take nothing away from his performance in the tournament so far, where he has been nothing short of exceptional. Prior to the tournament, all eyes were on Sam Curran, who was supposed to lead the attack.

Instead, it has been Mahmood, who has been setting the tournament alight, with at least three wickets in each of his games so far. Not only has he picked up almost twice as many wickets as Sam Curran, he has provided the crucial breakthroughs at the start or in the middle overs in every match so far.

#2 Jack Burnham

Burnham has hit two centuries in three matches

The only reason why Jack Burnham isn't top of this list is because of the fact that he hasn't bowled a single over in the tournament so far. With the willow in hand, the 19-year-old has been nothing short of sensational.

298 runs in three matches at an average of almost 150 and strike rate over 100 are phenomenal numbers. Not only is he the only batsman to score two hundreds in the tournament so far, but the Durham youngster has also smashed 12 sixes, which is almost twice as many as the batsman in second place, which is India's Rishabh Pant with 7.

What has been impressive about Burnham's knocks has been his ability understand the situation, rotate strike if necessary but always catch up at the end. Batting with Dan Lawrence, the pair have been a treat to watch. If he continues his current scoring rate, he will beat Shikhar Dhawan's record of most runs (505) in an ICC Under-19 tournament, which has stood since 2004 and also help England win the tournament for the first time since 1998.

#1 Daniel Lawrence

Lawrence is the only batsman to have scored at least 50 in each game

The tournament so far has been a story of seconds for Daniel Lawrence. In England's first game of the season, he registered the second-highest score in the history of the Under-19 World Cup, when he scored 174 against Fiji. In the three matches, he has scored two fifties, picked up two wickets and also walked away with two Man of the Match awards.

But on this list, the 18-year-old opener takes the top spot thanks to incredible numbers, which are a testament to his consistency. He is the only player to score at least 50 in every match of the tournament so far and his average of 96 shows just how dependable he has been at the top of the order for his side.

Despite being a good strike rotator, the number of fours Lawrence has hit in the tournament is simply staggering. His 40 fours place him comfortably top of the list of most fours hit, with his teammate in second place with 28. His strike rate, which is over 105, shows he has not only been getting his side off to a good start but a quick one as well.

If he keeps up his current form, there can be no doubts about who will walk away with the Player of the Tournament award.