PAK U19 vs AUS U19 Semifinal: Australia U19 and Pakistan U19 are all set to take on each other in the second semi-final match of the 2024 U19 World Cup. The match is scheduled to take place on February 8 at Willowmoore Park in Benoni. The match is set to begin at 1:30 p.m. IST.
Pakistan U19, just like their Indian counterparts, have gone undefeated in the 2024 U19 World Cup so far. They secured convincing victories against the likes of New Zealand, Nepal, and Afghanistan in their three group stage games. The Saad Baig-led team continued their unbeaten run in the Super Six, winning against the likes of Ireland by three wickets and Bangladesh by five runs. The encounter against Bangladesh was a low-scoring thriller as Saad Baig and his troops managed to defend a small total of 155 runs, which helped them qualify for the semi-final. In their previous two matches, Pakistan have managed to win by very small margins, and they would be looking to put up a dominating performance against the Kangaroos and ensure their qualification for the 2024 U19 World Cup Final against India.
On the other hand, Hugh Weibgen and his boys have an unbeaten record in this year’s Under-19 World Cup as well. They managed to secure easy victories against the likes of Sri Lanka, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. The Kangaroos then defeated arch-rivals England in their first Super Six encounter by 110 runs. But, their final Super Six game against the Windies ended without a result due to the intervention of rain. If the rain gods had not intervened with the game, then the mighty Aussies would have surely gone on to win against the West Indies, as they were in a pretty dominant position in the game. The Kangaroos now have to deal with the threat posed by Saad Baig and his boys, and they have to defeat them if they want to face India in the 2024 U19 World Cup Final.
Talking about the playing 11 of the Aussies, Harry Dixon and Harjas Singh are expected to open the innings for the Aussies. Dixon is coming off a well-made 53-run inning against the Windies in the previous game, and he would be looking to play another good knock against Pakistan. His partner at the other end, Harjas, batted at number four in the game against the West Indies as Sam Konstas was asked to open with Dixon, but he got dismissed for a duck, so Harjas would open the innings for the Aussies with Harry Dixon.
Sam Konstas will bat at number three against Pakistan. He played a brilliant knock of 108 runs against the West Indies at this position, and he would continue batting at number against the Saad Baig-led team as well. He has scored 177 runs in five games at an average of 35.40, and he would like to play another good knock against the Boys in Green and help Australia tackle the threat of Pakistan’s really good bowling attack.
Skipper Hugh Weibgen will come out to bat in his usual number four position. He played the role of the lone warrior as his captain’s knock of 120 runs against England helped his side easily cross the 250-run mark. He would be looking to contribute in a similar fashion with the bat against Pakistan, and with his leader’s hat on, he would like to take his side to the final of this year’s U19 World Cup.
Lachlan Aitken and Oliver Peake will be occupying the number five and number six positions, and both of them will be expected to play the role of finishers. Peake will also be expected to contribute with his right arm Off: Break bowling, and the former will be donning the wicket-keeping gloves.
Raf Macmillan, Charlie Anderson, Harkirat Bajwa, Mahli Beardman, and Callum Vidler will form the lower order of the Australians. Vidler is the fifth-highest wicket taker in this year’s Under-19 World Cup, and he will be the main threat for the Pakistan U19 batters. Beardman will play the role of the second fast bowler, while Charlie Anderson will be the third speedster.
Raf Macmillan and Harkirat Bajwa will play the roles of the spinners in the match against Pakistan. They would be looking to control the run-low of the Pakistani batters.
Australia’s playing 11 against Pakistan (predicted):
Hugh Weibgen (C), Lachlan Aitken (WK), Harry Dixon, Harjas Singh, Sam Konstas, Oliver Peake, Raf Macmillan, Harkirat Bajwa, Charlie Anderson, Mahli Beardman, and Callum Vidler.
For more, Visit the Official Site of U19 Cricket Teams