Harry Dixon and Ubaid Shah. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Pakistan, Under-19 World Cup champions of 2004 and 2006, will lock horns against three-time champions and winners of the inaugural edition, Australia, in the second semi-final of the ongoing ICC Under-19 World Cup 2024 that is currently on in South Africa.
This match will be played at Willowmoore Park in Benoni. The team that wins will take on India in the final that is slated to be held on Sunday, February 11. Pakistan have not been at their best at the U-19 World Cup for the past decade. On the other hand, Australia bagged the trophy in 2010 and reached the final in 2018. Back in 2018, they were taken down by India under the captaincy of Unmukt Chand.
Here are three player battles to watch out for in the Pakistan Under-19 versus Australia Under-19 match:
3. Shahzaib Khan vs Callum Vidler
Shahzaib Khan and Callum Vidler. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Pakistan opener Shahzaib Khan has been the star with the bat for his side. He has already bagged Player of the Match against Afghanistan and for his unbeaten 80 off 86 balls against New Zealand.
Shahzaib will be challenged by Australia's leading wicket-taker, Callum Vidler. Vidler has been excellent for Australia and he has managed to get good carry even on a flat Kimberley surface. In the match against Namibia, he showed his skillset with full-length deliveries and also picked up four wickets. He then troubled Sri Lanka with good bounce and by constantly honing in on the length. This will be a key-player battle right up front and could well define the rest of the match.
2. Harry Dixon vs Ubaid Shah
Harry Dixon and Ubaid Shah. (Photo Source: Twitter)
After an impressive Under-19 tour of England last year, Harry Dixon got a BBL deal with Melbourne Renegades. He has been lighting up the Under-19 World Cup for Australia with scores of 89, 49, and 53 against Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and England, respectively. Dixon is expected to lead the charge once again in the semi-final.
However, he will be up against Ubaid Shah, one of the brightest sparks as far as the fast bowlers are concerned. Coming into the semi-final, he has picked up 17 wickets in five matches at an impressive average of 10.52. He was flying high against Bangladesh as he picked up a five-wicket haul to power Pakistan into this stage even when they were defending 155.
3. Hugh Weibgen vs Ali Raza
Hugh Weibgen and Ali Raza. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Australia captain Hugh Weibgen showed his class in a rain-affected match in Kimberley, as he led with the bat and dismantled England. He also has a score of 68 against Zimbabwe and will be key with the bat for his side.
For Pakistan, Ali Raza will be the key player as he controls the middle phase of the innings and generally pitches the ball up and beats batters on the drive. He has been consistent with his wickets - he picked up three wickets in a crunch match against Bangladesh and has generally gone under the radar. He will be key with the ball for Pakistan in this side.
