ICC U19 Men's World Cup: Australia overcame a Raza Special, seals place in final against India

With this victory, three-time winners Australia secured a place in the final against defending champions and five-time winners India at Willowmoore Park, Benoni on Sunday.

Benoni: Tom Straker led the charge with his six-wicket haul to beat Pakistan for a modest total, but Australia survived a brave effort from medium-pacer Ali Raza to win by one wicket with just five balls to spare in the second semi-final of the ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup here on Friday.

With this victory, three-time winners Australia secured a place in the final against defending champions and five-time winners India at Willowmoore Park, Benoni on Sunday.

Straker's 6-24 were the best figures by a bowler in a semi-final or final of the U19 World Cup and helped Australia bowl out Pakistan for 179 in 48.5 overs, a half-century by Arafat Minhas (52) and an identical score by Azan Awais after Hugh Weibgen won the toss and chose to play first at the Willowmoore Park in Benoni.

In response, Australia first slumped to 59/4 in the 17th over and then looked down and out to 164/9 before a 17-run partnership for the last wicket between Raf MacMillan (19 not out) and Callum Vidler (2 not out) arose. ) helped them reach 181/9 in 49.1 overs.

Harry Dixon and Sam Konstas helped Australia get off to a steady start as they chased 180. The duo scored 33 runs in the first Powerplay. However, Ali Raza struck back for Pakistan at the start of the second Powerplay. He grabbed one to squeeze again and sent Konstas' cartwheel back off the stump.

Shortly afterwards, Pakistan had a fortunate breakthrough in the 14th over when Hugh Weibgen hit a full toss from Naveed Khan straight into the hands of Haroon Arshad at cover. Wickets continued to tumble as a miscommunication led to the exhaustion of Harjas Singh in the 16th over, while Ryan Hicks played off an Ubaid Shah delivery in the next over.

Dixon and Ollie Peake then came together to rebuild the Australian innings. Their steady progress was determined by positive stroke play, and soon Australia's chase was back on track. Dixon brought up his half-century in the 24th century. However, just as the match was turning in Australia's favour, Arafat threw Minhas Dixon a beauty. The left-arm spinner bowled with control and Australia's asking price went up.

The arrival of Tom Campbell helped bring a left-right batting combination into use. Campbell and Peake continued the previous partnership and helped Australia move closer to their goal. Pakistan needed a special move to get them back into the game, and Minhas provided just that. He bowled Campbell for 25 in the 39th over. Then Raza removed Peake for 49 to leave the match tied.

Raza's double-wicket final left Pakistan just one away from an appearance in the final. However, MacMillan kept a cool head and saw Australia through to the final.