'India is a class team': Australia captain Hugh Weibgen ahead of the Under-19 final match

Australia will take on India in the final of the ongoing Under-19 World Cup on February 11 at 1:30 PM IST.

New Delhi: After defeating Pakistan in the semi-final of the ongoing 2024 Under-19 World Cup, Australia will face India in the final to be played on February 11 at 1:30 PM IST at the Sahara Park Willowmoore Cricket Stadium.

Australia defeated Pakistan by 1 wicket in the last-over thriller at Willowmoore Park on Thursday. After leading his team to the final, Australian captain Hugh Weibgen said India is a class team.

Never had any doubts, had complete confidence in Vids and Raf to get the job done (laughs). Lots of emotions in the locker room. I still don't know what happened. Hard to leave Anderson out, but Tom Straker bowled incredibly today. We felt like we were well prepared for this match. We fought so hard. Every time we thought we were on top, we lost a wicket. 17 year old Peake, what calmness and maturity in the middle. India is a class team. We will love that challenge.

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.