Australia have set up Under-19 World Cup 2024's grand finale against India after edging past Pakistan by mere one wicket as they chased down 180-run target in a riveting semifinal clash on February 8, Thursday at Willowmoore Park in Benoni. Australia will lock horns with five-time champions Team India on Sunday, February 11. Notably, this is for the sixth time Australia have made it to the Under-19 World Cup final.
Australia followed India's footsteps
Similar to India's decision on Tuesday, February 6, Australia opted to chase in the second semi-final against Pakistan. Hugh Weibgen's decision was supported by his bowlers. Tom Straker spearheaded the attack with an impressive six-wicket haul, restricting Pakistan to a modest total. Straker's figures of 6/24 marked the best performance by a bowler in a U-19 World Cup semi-final or final.
Harry Dixon and Sam Konstas provided Australia with a solid start in pursuit of 180 runs. The pair accumulated 33 runs during the initial Powerplay. However, Ali Raza struck back for Pakistan at the beginning of the second Powerplay, dismissing Konstas with a delivery that nipped back and dislodged his off-stump.
Pakistan gained a stroke of luck in the 14th over when Hugh Weibgen's full toss off Naveed Khan found the hands of Haroon Arshad at cover. Wickets continued to fall as a miscommunication led to the run-out of Harjas Singh in the 16th over, followed by Ryan Hicks getting dismissed off a delivery from Ubaid Shah in the subsequent over.
Dixon and Ollie Peake then formed a partnership to stabilize the Australian innings. Their steady progress, characterized by positive strokeplay, rejuvenated Australia's pursuit. Dixon reached his half-century in the 24th over. However, just as Australia seemed to be gaining momentum, Arafat Minhas bowled Dixon with a superb delivery, increasing the required run rate for Australia.
The arrival of Tom Campbell facilitated a left-right batting combination. Campbell and Peake continued to build on the previous partnership, steering Australia closer to their target. Pakistan needed a remarkable effort to swing the game in their favor, and Minhas delivered precisely that. He dismissed Campbell for 25 in the 39th over. Subsequently, Raza removed Peake for 49, leaving the game evenly balanced. But the dismissals of Tom Straker and Mahli Beardman saw Australia lurching on 164/9. However Australia's tail wagged when they needed it the most as Raf McMilan (19) and Callum Vidler held their nerves and took them past victory line to set up thrilling Under-19 World Cup final with India.
Straker dominates with the ball
Shahzaib Khan and Shamyl Hussain started steadily against the Australian new-ball bowlers as usual. However, the introduction of Tom Straker as the first change bowler disrupted their partnership. Shamyl Hussain attempted to pull a delivery from Straker but was caught in the ninth over. In the subsequent over, Callum Vidler claimed the crucial wicket of Shahzaib Khan.
Shahzaib Khan, a left-handed batsman who had been Pakistan's top scorer in the U19 World Cup, tried to guide Vidler's delivery past point, but his shot was intercepted by Hugh Weibgen.
Pakistan's woes persisted during the second Powerplay. Straker claimed his second wicket in the 15th over, and Raf MacMillan followed suit by dismissing Ahmad Hassan leg before soon after. Despite a fifth-wicket partnership between Azan Awais and Haroon Arshad attempting to shift momentum, Australia gained the upper hand when Mahli Beardman dismissed Arshad with a well-delivered delivery.
Awais and Arafat Minhas managed to stabilize Pakistan's innings over the next few overs and accelerated the scoring rate. They amassed 50 runs between overs 31-40.
However, Straker once again proved pivotal for Australia, breaking the crucial partnership by dismissing Awais (52) with a nick behind the stumps. When Minhas departed after completing his fifty, Pakistan found themselves in a precarious position. Straker proceeded to clean up the tail, finishing with figures of 6/24.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
Have Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya unfollowed each other on Instagram? Social media explodes as emotional fans react
Mohammed Shami reveals the 'best' and 'most dangerous' batter in the world as 2 Indian stars make the cut
Full list of Indian bowlers who achieved No.1 ICC Ranking in international cricket; check here
Emotional Babar Azam pens heartwarming goodbye message to BPL franchise Rangpur Riders, says ‘My heart is full of...’
