Image Credit- ICC
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 wickets restored some
parity in the match, Australia nearly gave away their lead with the bat,
chasing just 180 after Tom Straker’s 6 for 24 destroyed Pakistan in the first
innings. The 15-year-old Ali Raza (4-34) struck repeatedly late in the day, but
the young pair of MacMillan (19*) and Vidler (3*) staved off the challenge
provided by the inspired Pakistan bowling attack in the dying overs to just
about lead Australia over the line. In the last over, an inside edge that almost
slammed into the stumps instead trickled behind for four runs, setting up the
winning runs.
Additionally, Australia was grateful for the batwork
of wicketkeeper-batter Oliver Peake and opener Harry Dixon that held their
fragile innings together.
Dixon, who takes inspiration from David Warner for his
style of play, scored 50 in 75 balls, his third half-century of the competition
and possibly the most significant in his young ODI career. He held one end up
as Australia reeled at 59 for 4, losing to Hugh Weibgen (4), Harjas Singh (run
out for 5), Sam Konstas (14), and Ryan Hicks (0) in short succession. Peake and
he put up 43 for the sixth wicket, but Pakistan tied the score with a
double-wicket blow from left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas.
Pakistan subsequently took the lead in the match when
Raza, bowling at a breakneck pace, removed Straker in the 42nd over and Peake,
who was on 49, in the 46th over. Then, with only one wicket remaining, he
dismissed Australia’s top-ranked Mahli Beardman for a duck. However, the tenth
and most crucial wicket continued to elude them.
The result 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. That contest will be at the same
venue in Benoni on Sunday, February 11.