(Cricket News) Australia defeated Pakistan in a wild second semi-final at Benoni thanks to an undefeated tenth-wicket stand of seventeen between Callum Vidler and Raf MacMillan. This secured Australia’s spot against India in the final of the 2024 Men’s Under-19 World Cup on Sunday.
After a few careless top-order dismissals restored some parity to the match, Australia found themselves chasing only 180 after Tom Straker’s 6 for 24 destroyed Pakistan in the first innings. Ali Raza, who is only fifteen years old, struck three times in the latter part of the day, but the young players MacMillan (19) and Vidler (3) held off the threat posed by the brilliant Pakistani bowling attack in the final overs to just about take Australia over the finish line.
The winning runs in the final over came from an inside edge that nearly crashed into the stumps but trickled behind for four instead. In addition, Australia owed a great deal to wicketkeeper-battler Oliver Peake and opener Harry Dixon, who draws inspiration from David Warner, for their efforts with the bat that kept their shaky innings together.
Dixon amassed 50 in 75 balls, his third half-century of the competition and possibly the most significant of his youth ODI career. He held one end up as Sam Konstas (14), Hugh Weibgen (4), Harjas Singh (run out for 5), and Ryan Hicks (0) fell quickly, leaving Australia at 59 for 4, along with Peake, who added 43 for the sixth wicket. However, a double-wicket burst from left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas forced Pakistan into the match.
Later in the day, Australia captain Weibgen put Pakistan to bat. On a surface with ample spin and enough lateral movement, four of Pakistan’s top six were out for single digits. Straker, with his height and pace, dismissed Shamyl Hussain and Saad Baig while fellow new-ball bowler Vidler got Shahzaib Khan. Offspinners MacMillan and Campbell also found enough purchase to keep the left-hand heavy Pakistan line-up guessing.
Raza’s blistering pace then claimed Peake, on 49, and Straker in the 42nd and 46th overs, respectively. After that, he bowled the No. 10 Mahli Beardman for a duck, leaving Australia scrambling with only one wicket in hand. But the tenth and most crucial wicket remained elusive.
The No. 3 Azan Awais and the No. 7 Minhas, however, looked comfortable for Pakistan and combined to strike 52 in contrasting styles to ensure that the team could reach 179. Awais was more reserved, playing to the difficult circumstances Pakistan was in, while Minhas was more attacking in the late going, looking to put up a respectable total.
Their 54-run fifth-wicket stand appeared to set Pakistan up for a score closer to 200, but their removals in the 41st and 45th overs provided Australia with an opportunity to take advantage of.
The outcome now sets up a rematch of the 2018 Under-19 World Cup final and, more recently, the 2023 ODI World Cup final between the senior teams of Australia and India, which will take place on Sunday, February 11 at the same location in Benoni.
