Tom Straker’s six-wicket haul and Harry Dixon’s fifty inspired Australia to a thrilling one-wicket victory over Pakistan in the semi-final here on Thursday.
The Aussies will meet defending champions India in the ICC U-19 World Cup final on Sunday. The two nations had met in the ODI World Cup final in November last where Pat Cummins’ team defeated Rohit Sharma’s men.
Pakistan made a below par 179, built around two half-centuries by Arafat Minhas (52) and Azan Awais (52) as they struggled against pacer Straker (6/24).
Despite having their own struggles against the Pakistan bowlers, the Aussies managed to reach 181 for 9 in 49.1 overs to seal the final berth with Dixon (50) and Oliver Peake (49) leading their chase.
While India will be playing their ninth title match, the Aussies are appearing in their sixth final. India have won a record five titles while Australia have bagged three titles.
However, Australia’s win was anything but smooth as a bunch of determined Pakistan bowlers made them stretch for every single run.
Australian openers Dixon and Sam Konstas (14) added 33 runs but they lost four wickets while adding 26 runs in 6.2 overs that pushed them into a tight corner.
Not many teams relish the pressure situation better than the Aussies and they brought out that quality to the fore here too.
Without the burden of asking rate behind their back, the Aussies middle-order concentrated on collecting the runs through nudges.
Dixon, who made his third fifty of the tournament, and Peake added 43 runs for the fifth wicket in a shade over 10 overs that kept the Aussies firmly in the hunt.
But left-arm spinner Minhas snapped the partnership, castling Dixon with a turning delivery which clipped the bails off.
But Peake and Tom Campbell (25) guided the Aussies forward adding 44 runs in a little over 11 overs without taking any undue risks.
However, a moment of pure magic from Arafat ended the blossoming stand. Peake was dismissed a little later.
Australia needed a further 16 to win with a wicket in hand but Raf MacMillan (19 not out) and Callum Vidler (3 not out) dragged their team past the line in the final over.
Written with PTI inputs
