Two years ago in Bangladesh they came within six runs of beating the West Indies and thus getting out of a tougher group than the one they find themselves in this time around so there is a real sense that this could be the year to go that one step further.

"We have targeted the Zimbabwe game as one that we can definitely win, " said captain Eoin Morgan.

"Team spirit is high in the squad, we have some very good players and we would be disappointed if we do not get through to the quarter-finals at least. It would be the first time an Irish under-19 had made it that far so there is a real hunger to achieve it, " he said.

Ireland's preparation has not been perfect, however.

They have struggled to maintain their intensity in the hot and humid Colombo conditions in the two warm-up matches played this week.

They did well to beat Scotland in the first one by two wickets but the Scots also looked fatigued from the heat and the wheels came off against Uganda when they were reduced to 177 all out chasing 219 to win.

On Wednesday, Ireland play England followed by Nepal the day after.

Two wins from three games will most likely be necessary if a place in the plate competition is to be avoided.