AUS U19 vs PAK U19 2nd Semifinal Highlights: Unmissable key moments, turning points & more

In what turned out to be an absolute nail-biter, Australia U19 edged out Pakistan to set up a sumptuous clash with India U19. Speaking of the second semifinal game, after winning the toss, the Men in Yellow decided to field first. The decision was duly justified by the pacemen when they kept the Green Shirts under the pump with constant pressure. Besides, the Aussies bowled tight like a water compartment to make life difficult for the batters.

Albeit, the star of the day was the Australian quick Tom Straker, who bamboozled the Pakistan batting lineup with his sheer pace. As a result, he ended up taking the best figures by a bowler in a knockout stage game in the history of the Under 19 World Cups. Notably, Straker finished with a resounding six-wicket haul (6/24) with two absolute jaffas, which sent the stumps cartwheeling. His phenomenal bowling was awarded as the Player of the Match after the conclusion of the game.

Speaking of the batting performance by the Asian side, Azain Awais top-scored for his side with a valiant 52-run knock. Apart from him, Arafat Minhas scored a vital fifty, evenly matched with his partner for the same score. Besides, Straker broke the backbone of Pakistan by taking the wickets in the likes of Naseem Shah's brother Ubaid Shah along with captain Saad Baig, Shamyl Hussain, Mohammad Zeeshan and Ali Raza, respectively.

Also Read: Who is Tom Straker? Everything you need to know about Australia's U-19 WC Star

Australia started cautiously but faltered in between to clinch a thriller

Speaking of the run chase, Australia U19 started vigilantly and were going smoothly until the opening powerplay phase. At that moment they were 33 without loss and were looking strong to chase down the below-par target of 180 runs quite easily. However, after Sam Konstas got cleaned up by the young 15-year-old sensation, Ali Raza, they slumped to 59/4.

In what was a rebuild, Australia clawed their way back and were looking on course at 146/5 but Minhas' twin strikes and Ali Raza's magnificent 4-wicket haul brought Pakistan back into the game. So much so that the game went down the wire and in the last over needed just three runs. But the six-foot-seven giant Zeeshan failed to take his team over the line. The last pair in the form of Raf MacMillan and Callum Vidler showed resistance with their 17-run unbeaten stand for the final wicket. This meant that Australia U19 would now clash with the unbeatable team of the ICC Men's Under 19 World Cup 2024, India, on Sunday at the same venue in Benoni.

Meanwhile, here's how the fans reacted to AUS U19 vs PAK U19 second semifinal: