Highlights of Australia vs Pakistan in the U19 World Cup 2024 semifinal: AUS advances to the sixth final, however Ali Raza’s masterclass is in vain

Australia and India have scheduled another staging of the ODI World Cup final in South Africa in 2023.

Ali Raza, 15, turned the game around for Pakistan by bowling a double-wicket maiden to stage a comeback in the low-scoring match. Nevertheless, Raf MacMilllan scored the game-winning runs in the 50th over to ensure Australia defeated Pakistan by one wicket, negating Raza’s valiant efforts in the final over. On Sunday, Australia will play India, the reigning champs.

With a six-wicket haul to lead Australia’s bowling attack, Tom Straker dismissed Pakistan for 179 in 48.5 overs. With a gritty half-century, Azan Awais kept Pakistan’s hopes alive, but the dangerous Straker broke through to seriously damage the opposition’s chances. Pakistan required a unique alliance at 5 down for 79, and it evolved from a fifty-plus stand between Awais and Arafat Minhas.

That was prior to the breakup of the partnership, and with fewer than 10 overs remaining, Pakistan was behind 6 runs. Then all eyes were on Minhas, but the left-hander went down to hammer home the last blow to Pakistan’s chances, having completed a half-century. With seven balls left in his last over, Straker, who had already claimed three wickets, came back to complete the Pakistani innings in less than fifty overs, finishing at 6/24.

Raf MacMillan, Callum Vidler, and Straker had earlier struck to get rid of the best player in Pakistan’s lineup and had grabbed the bull by the horns. Australia had the Powerplay after Straker dismissed Shamyl Hussain for 14 and Vidler got rid of Shahzaib Khan, who had a difficult time scoring four runs off of 30 balls. Any chance of a rally was further dashed by Straker, who removed Pakistan skipper Saad Baig for his second wicket.

Raf MacMillan brought spin to the game, and it only took the off-spinner two overs to get going. Pakistan suffered a half-point loss when Beardman cleaned up Haroon Ahmad. Following Australia’s victory in the toss, skipper Hugh Weibgen announced the three changes made to his playing XI and did not hesitate to bat first. Baig, his counterpart, desired to bat first.

This edition, like all the others, has been an incredible and exciting competition. The incumbent champions, heavyweights India, were the clear favorites to get to the final, and they accomplished it with relative ease. We say almost because South Africa challenged them more than any other side had and, for a while, it looked like they were going to have to bid their campaign farewell until Sachin Dhas and captain Uday Saharan managed to create a partnership akin to that of Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh in 2002. Although they haven’t yet had a “L” placed beside their names, Australia and India have occasionally been pushed by opponents. Nevertheless, they have a strong lineup that includes a good variety of pacers, spinners, and hitters.

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