Sponsored by the MTN Group, it was the second edition of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup, coming ten years after the inaugural tournament in 1988, and the first to be held in South Africa.

Sixteen teams participated at the 1998 World Cup, up from only eight at the previous edition.

The tournament was won by England, which defeated New Zealand in the final to win its first and only title.

West Indian batsman Chris Gayle led the tournament in runs, while his teammate Ramnaresh Sarwan and Zimbabwe's Mluleki Nkala were the joint leading wicket-takers.

The plate competition was contested by the eight teams that failed to qualify for the Super League.