Third time lucky? After losing the World Test Championship final and the ODI World Cup last year, India will once again face Australia in a final of an ICC event, in the ICC U19 World Cup final this time. Australia won against Pakistan in the closely fought semi-final on Thursday to set up the epic clash. Cricket lovers took to social media after the match to relish another IND vs AUS clash in a final.
Australia made their task tougher in the semi-final against Pakistan on Thursday. The Aussies won the toss and elected to field. Medium pacer Tom Straker was at his destructive best, taking a 6-fer to bundle Pakistan out for 179 runs. Needing 180 to reach the finals of the U19 World Cup, it looked like it would to a straight-forward chase for Australia. But Pakistan had other plans.
Pakistan came out with renewed vigour and put some brilliant performances in the field to make the chase tougher for Australia. Opener Harry Dixon helped the Australian chase with a fantastic 50. 17-year-old Oliver Peake produced a gritty innings of 49 before getting out unfortunately. The Pakistan bowlers maintained pressure and took wickets at regular intervals. It was anybody’s game as Pakistan needed a single wicket to win and Aussies needed six runs from 12 balls. The Aussies showed resilience and a stroke of luck in the first ball of last over pushed Australia over the line.
Social media was abuzz with the prospect of another IND vs AUS final in an ICC event. Let’s take a look at how the social users reacted to the Australia’s win in the semi-final.
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