Australia won the semi-final of the 2024 U19 World Cup by overturning the game they lost. In the match against Pakistan, Australia won by 1 wicket. Opening first in the match, Pakistan scored 179 runs in 48.5 overs. Australia then set about chasing the target and won with just 5 balls and 1 wicket remaining.
With victory in the semi-final, Australia booked its ticket to the final against India. Now the title game between India and Australia will be played on Sunday, February 11. India had made it to the final by defeating South Africa in the first semi-final.
The game at Willomoor Park in Benoni was very exciting. First in the match, Pakistan were restricted to just 179 runs. Australia then set about chasing the target and claimed an interesting victory. In pursuit of the goal, Australia’s victory initially seemed very easy, but as the game progressed, Pakistan consolidated their influence. But in the end Australia won with wisdom. Raf McMillan ended up playing a brilliant innings, scoring 19* runs in 29 balls with the help of two fours.
Australia got off to a good start chasing the target of 180 runs. Harry Dixon and Sam Constance, who came in to open, formed a 33-run partnership for the first wicket. The first blow for the team came in the form of Sam Constas in the 11th over, who returned to the pavilion after scoring 14 runs in 33 balls with the help of 3 fours. Then captain Hugh Webgen, who came to bat at number three, was eliminated in the 14th over after scoring just 4 runs in 12 balls.
After that, the team’s wicket fell due to runout. Harjas Singh, who batted at number four, was dismissed after scoring 5 runs in 6 balls. Harjas was bowled out on the last ball of the 16th over and on the third ball of the 17th over, Ryan Hicks, which was the first ball of his innings, was bowled by Ubaid Shah and sent to the pavilion. After that, Australia lost the fifth wicket in the form of Harry Dixon, who batted well. Harry played an even innings of 50 runs off 75 balls with the help of 5 fours. In this way, Australia lost 5 wickets for 102 runs in 26.3 overs.
Then the team lost the sixth wicket in the form of Tom Campbell. Campbell scored 25 runs in 42 balls with 2 fours. After that, Australia suffered the seventh blow in the form of Oliver Peak, who played a good innings. Oliver Peak was led by Ali Raza, who scored 49 runs in 75 balls with the help of three fours.
Then Australia lost the eighth wicket in the form of Tom Straker who could only score 3 runs. He then lost the 9th wicket in the 46th over in the form of Mahali Beardman. Ali Raza bowled to Mahli and showed her the way to the pavilion. But after that, Raf McMillan remained undefeated and played an innings of 19 runs. He was supported by Callum Vidler, who scored 2 runs in 9 balls.