Australia squeezed into the Under-19 World Cup final after a nail-biting one-wicket win over Pakistan in the final over.
An unbeaten last-wicket stand of 17 between Raf MacMillan and Callum Vidler in the second semi-final in Benoni ensured Australia will face India in the final of the ICC Men’s Under 19 World Cup.
Put to bat first, Pakistan lost four of their top six batters for single-digit scores. Fast bowler Tom Straker dismissed Shamyl Hussain (17) and Saad Baig (3) while fellow new-ball bowler Vidler got Shahzaib Khan (4). Azan Awais and the No. 7 Arfat Minhas then combined to salvage some pride for the Green Shirts. They both struck 52 of different styles, to ensure Pakistan could make 179.
Their 54-run fifth-wicket stand seemed to set Pakistan up for a score closer to 200, but their dismissals in the 41st and 45th overs restricted them to a below par score.
Chasing 180, Australia appeared to be in trouble early on as they were left reeling on 59/4. But then a 43-run stand between Harry Dixon and Oliver Peake brought them closer to the target before Dixon was foxed by Minhas on 50.
Australia still appeared favorites until 15-year-old Ali Raza got Peake out in the 42nd over and followed it up by two wickets in the 46th over. This left Pakistan needing one wicket, while Australia were still 16 runs short. But the young pair of MacMillan (19*) and Vidler (3*) staved off the challenge posed by the inspired Pakistan bowling attack to take Australia over the line.
Defending champion India awaits Australia in the final
Australia’s win now sets up a repeat of the 2018 Under-19 World Cup final and more recently, the 2023 ODI World Cup final contested between the India and Australia senior sides.
India reached the final after beating hosts South Africa in the first semi-final. Chasing 245 for victory, The Men in Blue had found themselves at 32/4 before Uday Saharan, the captain, and Sachin Dhas put on a game-changing 171-run stand. This will be India’s fifth straight final as they look to lift the Under 19 World Cup for a record sixth time on February 11 in Benoni.
Sherjeel Malik is the editor at FanHaat with a writing experience in multiple sports. He oversees the editorial and content coverage at FanHaat and writes often around combat sports, football and other marquee sports. A professional highlight of his career was when WWE’s Paul Heyman shared one of his articles on his social media.
Apart from writing, editing and watching sports, he likes to indulge in reading fiction, watching war documentaries and is a fan of Liverpool FC
