The ICC Men's Under-19 World Cup 2024 semifinal was headed for a tense finish after Australia's ninth wicket fell with 16 more runs to win. It was Pakistan’s game to lose as they needed just one wicket to book a date with India in the final. But ignoring ICC’s over-rate rule led to them having one fewer fielder inside the circle which turned out to be fatal for them.
In a close match like we witnessed on February 8, the captain takes time to set fields to get the prized wicket and close off the game. However, in the 49th over, there was an unnecessary pause in the game Ubaid Shah pulled out of his action before bowling the penultimate ball of his spell. He sat on the ground to get his spikes checked. After a few minutes, the game resumed but Shah could not dismiss no.11 batter Callum Vidler whose defense was top-notch.
As a result, the Pakistan captain had to call one more player inside the 30-yard circle. The rule was introduced in 2022.
While Mohammad Zeeshan was getting ready to bowl the first ball of the final over, the fine-leg fielder was inside the 30-yard circle. Raf MacMillan flashes his bat on a good length delivery but the thick inside edge went to the fine leg boundary. Shah gave it a chase but he could not stop it.
Meanwhile, West Indies pacer-turned-commentator Ian Bishop pointed out that the fielder would have been on the boundary had it not been for the rule coming into play.
Umpires give Raza a reprieve
Earlier in the game, Pakistan's 15-year-old pacer Ali Raza was allowed to bowl despite bowling two high full tosses. He was not taken off the attack because the umpires felt that only the second one was dangerous which was followed by a warning. Raza had turned the game upside down with a double-wicket maiden. In his 10 overs, he conceded 34 runs, bowled two maidens, and picked up a four-wicket haul.
Big final
Australia will now take on India in the final of the Under-19 World Cup for the third time in the history of the tournament. Australia suffered defeat in the finals of the 2012 and 2018 editions.
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