Australia snuck over the line against Pakistan with one wicket to spare in the U19 World Cup semi-final yesterday (February 8), booking their place against India in Sunday’s final. Watch the highlights below.
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Pakistan were bowled out for 179 after being put in to bat first, with half-centuries from Azan Awais and Arafat Minhas the only scores of substance. Pace bowler Tom Straker was the main tormentor for Pakistan, taking six wickets in his 9.5 over spell. He finished off the innings with two consecutive wickets in the 49th over, firing in two pinpoint yorkers which uprooted the stumps.
In response, Australia made it through the opening powerplay unscathed and were 33-0 after ten overs. However, the first ball of the 11th over brought a breakthrough for Pakistan when Sam Konstas was bowled by 15-year-old quick Ali Raza, who jagged a ball back in from outside off stump, finding the gap between bat and pad to castle the stumps.
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Wickets continued to fall and Australia suddenly found themselves 59-4 in the 17th over, having been comfortable seven overs before. Opener Harry Dixon steadied the collapse, reaching 50 and taking his side into three figures. However, he was bowled by Minhas for 50 off 75 balls, before a 44-run partnership between Tom Campbell and Oliver Peake was broken to leave Australia 146-6.
Despite the fall of wickets, Australia still only needed 34 more runs to win and were in prime position. But a blistering spell from Raza turned the game on it’s head. He first managed to snare Peake with a ball well down the leg side which Peake chased after a got a fine edge through to the keeper. He then took two wickets in the final over of his spell, the first and awkward short ball which Straker edged behind, the second just clipped the top of the off stump bail to dismiss Mahli Beardman for a duck.
What a finish!
Australia sneak over the line by one wicket in the U19 World Cup semi-final against Pakistan. #U19WorldCup pic.twitter.com/koO9Ye7BKF
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) February 8, 2024
With Australia now needing 16 runs to win with only one wicket remaining, Pakistan were in the driving seat. However, the final pair of Callum Vifler and Raf MacMillan managed to get Australia over the line with five balls to spare, MacMillan inside-edging a four to seal the result. They were helped by Pakistan having to bring fine leg into the ring for the final delivery as penalty for their slow over rate.
Australia will face India in Sunday’s final in a repeat of the senior final from the 2023 men’s World Cup.
