U19 World Cup: Defending champions India to take on Australia in final on Sunday

India will take on Australia in the final of the 2024 Under-19 World Cup in Benoni on Sunday, following the Aussies’ thrilling one wicket win over Pakistan in the second semi-final. In the first semi-final on Tuesday, India rode on a 171-run stand between skipper Uday Saharan (81) Sachin Dhas (96) to beat South Africa by two wickets in an edge-of-the-seat thriller.

Australia won the toss against Pakistan in Benoni and asked them to bat first. And that decision did wonders as Tom Straker’s 6/24 helped them bundled out Pakistan for 179. Azan Awais and Arafat Minhas (Both scored 2) were the standout performers for Pakistan with the bat.

In reply, Australia were for one stage restricted to 59/4 at one stage, but Harry Dixon 50 off 75) stood firm at the other end to keep Australia’s hopes alive. He was however involved in a 43-run stand with Oliver Peake 49) for the fifth wicket, and that set the tone for Australia’s win, although there were several twists and turns.

India and Australia have previously met in the U19 World Cup final in 2012, when Unmukt Chand had inspired the Boys in Blue to a six-wicket win.

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