PAK Under-19 vs AUS Under-19, 2nd Semi-Final at Benoni, U19 World Cup, Feb 08 2024 - Match Result

What semi-final this turned out to be with Australia scraping through. They will meet India in the final on Sunday in Benoni. It promises to be another close affair, and we will be here nice and early to bring to you all the live action. Till then, this is Ashish Pant signing off on behalf of Sreshth Shah and Chetan Kumar. Ciao!

Australia captain, Hugh Weibgen: Never in doubt. Had full faith in Vids and Raff to get the job done. A lot of emotions, was quite nervous, excited. Quite don't know what happened. But yeah, it was awesome. Charlie Anderson is a quality fast bowler, really to leave out of the side. But Tom Straker bowled unbelievably. Thought he was brilliant. [On the Benni surface] Found the bounce was a bit more, not as much as Kimberley. We had good net sessions and had some good training facilities, and felt we were well prepared coming into the fixture. We've fought so hard. Every time we thought we were on top, we lost a wicket. Peake showed such maturity for such a young bloke. Everyone contributed. [On the final] I am sure India are class team, they will come out and compete. We will love that challenge and love that fight.

Pakistan captain, Saad Baig: Difficult to accept as a losing team. We were short by 10 or 20 runs. We put in a lot of effort, and we played well. Boys fought really well. The way Ali Raza bowled was brilliant. All the team fought really well. I think that we were short of runs. The lack of runs, maybe 15-20 runs. But we played well, fought well. But Australia played very well. All the boys throughout the tournament were brilliant. Our bowling was really well in the tournament. As a captain I am proud to be leading a country. One team has to lose, one has to win. Doesn't matter.

Tom Straker: [Final over] Got a bit closer than what we would have wanted, After I got out, no one was moving, everyone was sitting in their seats. It was very intense. It was a pretty good effort today. [Final] We have had pretty good confidence throughout the tournament and leading up to it.

Mohit: "If I'm Vidler, I would frame those front foot defence pose with the bending leg for life."

Ambrose: "Run from it, hide from it, you can't avoid Australia coming up clutch in big world cup moments. Greatest cricketing nation in the history of the game!"

5.38pm The fine leg fielder was back. But because Pakistan had taken so much time out of the game, that meant that fielder had to come in. As it turns out, that was what cost Pakistan in the end. Ali Raza bowled his heart out, picking four wickets. But it was not be in the end. Raf MacMillan kept his cool and hit two important fours in the final few overs to take Australia over the line. There were two standout performers in the Australia side. Harry Dixon with 50 and Oliver Peake with 49. Raza picked 4 for 34 while Arafat Minhas picked 2 for 20. It got very close in the end and Australia still required 16 when the last batter Calum Vidler came in but both him and MacMillan held his nerves so well. And that means it is going to be a repeat of the 2023 ODI Men's World Cup final on Sunday with India taking on Australia.

Pakistan need to bring up one extra fielder into the inner circle. MacMillan on strike. Zeeshan to bowl the last over. Fine leg comes up. Australia need three to win

KJSays: "Vidler does not have a batting average. Is he batting for the first time in his YODI career or has he never been dismissed?" never been dismissed

Vidler has been on the front foot every ball. Surely a short ball to push his back. Ubaid runs in and loses his run-up. Ubaid is not happy with his spikes. Wow, what a humdinger this has turned out to be. Australia need 3 to win. Pakistan searching for that one wicket.

Right then. Vidler on strike. Pakistan need one on the stumps at pace. can Ubaid deliver

Australia need four

Australia need six. Pakistan one wicket.

The physio is out to tend to the keeper. Looks fine to now

Australia need 12 to win. Pakistan need one wicket. No. 11 Vidler on strike

Vidler, the No. 11 batter comes in. Australia need 15 more.