Australia became the third team to qualify for the ICC U-19 Men’s World Cup 2022 semifinals with a comprehensive win over Pakistan on Friday. They joined England and Afghanistan in the final four with a 119-run success on a day where batting first was the order of the day. (More Cricket News)
Half-centuries for Teague Wylie and Corey Miller, as well as 47 from Campbell Kellaway, helped Australia to 276 for 7 from their 50 overs and that proved far too much for Pakistan in Antigua.
Barring a 50-run partnership for the third wicket, Pakistan were always behind in their chase and eventually crumbled to 157 all out with the wickets shared among the Australian bowlers.
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Opting to field first, Pakistan regretted the decision as Kellaway and Wylie (71) put on 86 for the first wicket. Kellaway was stumped off the bowling of Qasim Akram (3/40), but that just brought Miller to the crease and he accelerated the run-rate on his way to 64.
Their stand of 101 was brought to an end by Awais Ali, who had Wylie bowled, with Miller following soon after to leave Australia 203 for three with just under ten overs remaining. Skipper Cooper Connolly chipped in with 33 and William Salzmann cracked a quickfire 25 off 14 balls from No.7 to set a competitive target.
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It soon became clear that it would be well beyond Pakistan, with Muhammad Shehzad and Haseebullah Khan both caught behind to leave their side 27 for two in the fifth over.
Abdul Faseeh (28) and Irfan Khan (27) started to rebuild before the latter was bowled by Salzmann (3/37), and the wickets fell at regular intervals from then on.
Australia scored 75 runs in the last 10 overs for the loss of five wickets. Australia will now face the winner of the final Super League quarterfinal between India and defending champions Bangladesh on Saturday.
UAE Stun Hosts
A sensational knock from Aayan Afzal Khan helped UAE to one of the greatest results in their history as they beat the West Indies by 82 runs in the Plate semifinals in Trinidad. UAE will now take on the winner of Ireland against Zimbabwe in the Plate final, while the West Indies take on the loser in the play-off for 11th.
Uganda Fire Past PNG
Cyrus Kakuru inspired Uganda to a 35-run victory over Papua New Guinea in the Plate play-off semi-finals in Trinidad. His 65 was the foundation of Uganda’s 123 all out in a low-scoring affair and Papua New Guinea never really got going in reply, slumping to 88 all out inside 20 overs.
With inputs from ICC
