AUS U19 VS PAK U19 2ND SEMI FINAL

Right then, that is it from our coverage of the second Semi-Final of the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2024 where Australia Under-19 emerged victorious in a very close encounter. However, the action is not done yet. Switch tabs and join our coverage of the SA20 qualifier 2 where Joburg Super Kings clash against Durban Super Giants at Johannesburg. For the Under-19 World Cup, join us back on Sunday, 11th February for the most important match of this tournament, the final which will be played between India Under-19 and Australia Under-19 which will be a recap of the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup finals from a few months back. The first ball will be bowled at 1.30 pm IST (8.00 am GMT) but our coverage will start much earlier. Until then, goodbye and cheers!

Hugh Weibgen, the skipper of Australia Under-19 is up for a chat. He says that he was never in doubt and backed the boys to get the job done. Adds that he was excited and nervous after the win and didn't know what was going on. Adds that it was difficult to leave out Charlie Anderson who is a quality fast bowler but Tom Straker bowled brilliantly. Mentions that they were well-prepared coming into this fixture and the way they fought harder after losing wickets was brilliant to see and gives a special mention to Ollie Peake for the way he showed maturity. Ends by saying that India are a quality side and they will look to give it their all.

Saad Baig, the skipper of Pakistan Under-19 says that it is difficult to be on the losing side and adds that they should have put 20 more runs on the board. Credits the Aussies for playing exceptionally well. He then goes on to appreciate his bowlers as well, especially Ali Raza. Mentions that the lack of runs is the reason they might have ended up on the losing side but wants to take nothing away from the Aussies and says that they were the better team. Says that as a captain he feels proud for leading this team.

Tom Straker is the Player of the Match for his stellar six-wicket haul earlier in the game. He says that the game got a bit closer than they would have wanted and after he got out, everyone was on the edge of their seats. Mentions that he is proud of the way he bowled and the rest of the bowling did do well to restrict them under 180. Adds that he wasn't aware of the fact that those are the best figures at this stage of the competition ever and is happy with it and ends by saying that they have had self-belief from the start of the competition.

The Presentation ceremony…

Earlier in the game, Pakistan Under-19 posted a somewhat fighting total courtesy of a couple of crucial fifties from Azan Awais and Arafat Minhas. However, they would have still been confident as no team has been able to go past 200 runs against them in this World Cup. Straker was the star of the show for the Aussies with an exceptional six-wicket haul while except for Harjas Singh every other bowler chipped in with one each.

The first 10 overs were wicketless for Pakistan Under-19 and that put them under pressure because the score they put on the board wasn’t enough. However, Ali Raza came in and gave them their first breakthrough. Naveed Khan followed and sent back the skipper. Harjas Singh gifted his wicket by a run-out and Ubaid Shah cleaned Ryan Hicks up. Harry Dixon was the man in form and he had got to his half-century as well. Arafat Minhas did a tough job and cleaned up him, instilling some confidence in his team, and got the wicket of Tom Campbell as well. Ollie Peake, Tom Straker, and Mahli Beardman were sent back by the wonder kid, Ali Raza and he almost took them to the finals. However, the heroics of Rafael Macmillan and the defense of Callum Vidler pushed them to defeat. However, they should be proud of their performance and especially the bowling unit has some future stars for certain.

Australia Under-19 had a good strong start to their innings. However, Sam Konstas couldn’t take his innings long and had to depart right after the first Powerplay. The next 7 overs put them on the back foot where Hugh Weibgen, Harjas Singh, and Ryan Hicks were dismissed. Harry Dixon and Ollie Peake put up a good stand and the former got to his half-century. He too couldn’t continue his innings and was sent back to the dugout. Tom Campbell put up a fighting performance along with Ollie Peake. Peake was dismissed while he was on 49 soon followed by Tom Straker. Mahli Beardman also was dismissed without scoring much and that left Rafael Macmillan and the last man, Callum Vidler out in the middle. They both held their nerves and in the end, managed to see through the match. We will now have a replay of the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023 but this time it will be the youngsters playing against each other.

WHAT A THRILLER! EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE FROM Pakistan Under-19, they almost succeded in defending the target but Australia Under-19 held their nerves and won by a margin of just one wicket. They will now face India Under-19 in the finals on Sunday but this semi-final will leave Pakistan Under-19 heartbroken.

FOUR! That's it, Rafael Macmillan has snatched victory from the jaws of defeat for Australia Under-19 in the most remarkable fashion. Mohammad Zeeshan steams in and bowls it on a hard length over the top of off stump, Macmillan hangs back and looks to punch it off the back foot but gets an inside edge. Luckily for him, he doesn't get chopped on but the ball goes past leg stump and past the man at short fine leg who was just brought up in the circle because of the penalty for slow over rate and the ball goes for a boundary. Australia Under-19 win by 1 wicket and set a date in the Final with India Under-19 in what will be a rematch of the 2023 ICC Men's World Cup Final from just a few months ago.

Mohammad Zeeshan will bowl the final over and due to exceeding the time limit to bowl the allotted overs, Pakistan Under-19 will have to bring one extra fielder inside the circle.

Another dot to end and now Australia Under-19 need 3 runs off the final over. This is full and outside off stump, Callum Vidler brings out that signature forward defense by pressing forward and keeps it out.

Just keeps the batter on his toes by shortening the length. This is bowled outside off but Callum Vidler gets nicely behind the line to block it on the off side.

Halt! It seems as if Ubaid Shah will need new shoes because one of the spikes has come off while bowling.

Full and on the fifth stump line, Callum Vidler leans right ahead and presents another forward defense right off the middle of the bat.

Full and outside off, driven away square through covers for another crucial single.

Slightly short and outside off, Rafael Macmillan cuts it away nicely behind point for a couple of runs. Good work in the deep and now 4 runs are needed off 10 deliveries. Either side could win it in just one ball.