Australia are chasing the 180-run target against Pakistan.

Tom Straker led the Australian bowling charge with a six-wicket haul to bowl Pakistan out for 179 in 48.5 overs. Azan Awais kept Pakistan breathing with a gritty half-century, but the menacing Straker broke through to really dent the opposition’s chances. At 5 down for 79, Pakistan needed a special partnership and it came from a fifty-plus stand between Awais and Arafat Minhas. That is before the partnership was broken and Pakistan went 6 down with less than 10 overs to go. All hopes were then pinned on Minhas, but after completing a half-century, the left-hander perished to drill the final nail in the coffin for Pakistan. Straker, who had picked three wickets by then, returned for his final over, wrapped up the Pakistan innings inside 50 overs with 7 balls remaining and finished with 6/24.

Earlier Callum Vidler, Straker and Raf MacMillan all struck to dismiss the top in the Pakistan line-up and have taken the bull by its horns. The Powerplay belonged to Australia as Straker took out Shamyl Hussain for 14 followed by Vidler removing Shahzaib Khan, who really struggled during his 30-ball stay for four runs. Any hopes of a comeback were further dented by Straker, who picked up his second wicket in the form of the Pakistan captain Saad Baig. Spin was introduced in the form of Raf MacMillan and the off-spinner took just two overs to get himself going. Pakistan lost half their side with Beardman cleaning up Haroon Ahmad. This was after Australia won the toss and captain Hugh Weibgen had no hesitation in batting first as he informed of the three changes made to his Playing XI. His counterpart Baig wanted to bat first.

Like all the previous editions, this one has been a fascinating and one heck of a tournament. Heavyweights India, the defending champions were the outright favourites to make it to the final and they did so almost without breaking a sweat. We say almost because they were tested by South Africa like no other team before and at one point, seemed to be kissing their campaign goodbye before Sachin Dhas and captain Uday Saharan stitched a Mohammad Kaif-Yuvraj Singh circa 2002 kind of a partnership. But as good as India were, Australia are equally challenging when it comes to ICC finals. India and Australia are yet to register an ‘L’ against their name, but have been occasionally pushed by oppositions. Having said that, they are a well-rounded squad, with an impressive stock of pacers, spinners and batters.

Here are a few pointers surrounding the Australia vs Pakistan U19 World Cup 2024 semifinal:

-Raf MacMilllan earned a boundary in the final over to seal Australia’s one-wicket win over Pakistan.

-Ali Raza bowled a double-wicket maiden to stage Pakistan’s comeback.

-Australia’s Harry Dixon slams half-century off 70 balls.

-Ubaid Shah, Naveed Khan and Ali Raza shared three wickets as Australia reached 59-4 in 16.3 overs.

– Tom Straker took 6/24 as Pakistan were bowled out for 179 in 48/5 over.

– Australia captain Hugh Weibgen won the toss and opted to bat.

– He made three changes with Tom Campbell, Ryan Hicks and Tom Straker coming in.

– Straker dismissed Shamyl Hussain and Callum Vidler took out Shahzaib Khan for the first two wickets.

– Australia dropped two catches inside the first 10 overs.

– Pakistan were 5 down 79 when Azan Awais and Arafat Minhas added a crucial partnership.

– Pakistan were dented when the in-form Azan Awais was dismissed for 52 off 91 balls and Arafat Minhas followed soon.

– Both Pakistan and Australia are undefeated in the tournament.

– The winner of today’s contest will face India in the final on Sunday.

– Pakistan pacer Ubaid Shah, brother of Naseem Shah, is currently joint second in the wicket-taking list of the U19 World Cup.