India and Australia’s Journey to the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Final
After an intense competition spanning 21 days and 40 matches, India and Australia are set to clash in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup final on Sunday, 11 February in Benoni. This marks another chapter in the recent history of these two cricketing nations, who faced off in pinnacle finals last year at both the World Test Championship Final and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Both teams have displayed remarkable consistency throughout the tournament, maintaining unbeaten streaks as they head into the Final. Let’s take a look back at their journeys in the tournament.
India’s Road to the Final
India beat Bangladesh by 84 runs
India began their World Cup campaign with a convincing win against Bangladesh. Despite early breakthroughs from Maruf Mridha for Bangladesh, Adarsh Singh and captain Uday Saharan struck a fifty each to bail India out of trouble. Maruf bagged a five-wicket haul in the first game of the tournament, but late contributions from Aravelly Avanish and Sachin Dhas propelled India to a formidable total of 251/7. Bangladesh was eventually bowled out for 167.
Player of the Match: Saumy Pandey (4/24)
India beat Ireland by 201 runs
India showcased dominance with both bat and ball in a resounding victory over Ireland. Musheer Khan and Uday Saharan were the stars of the batting innings, registering a century and fifty respectively. Ireland were bundled out for 100, with only four batsmen managing to reach double-digit scores.
Player of the Match: Musheer Khan (118 off 106)
India beat USA by 201 runs
The Indian juggernaut rolled on with yet another victory by a massive margin against USA in the final group-stage match. Arshin Kulkarni anchored the majority of the innings en route to his century and was well supported by Musheer Khan’s fifty. USA could only muster a total of 125/8 in the innings.
Player of the Match: Arshin Kulkarni (108 off 118)
India beat New Zealand by 214 runs
India carried forward their momentum from the Group Stages to the Super Six with another massive win over New Zealand. Musheer Khan played a stellar innings, smashing his second century of the tournament with a brilliant score of 131, guiding India to a total of 295/8. New Zealand was rolled over for just 81.
Player of the Match: Musheer Khan (131 off 126 and 2/10)
India beat Nepal by 132 runs
India punched their ticket to the semi-final with a resounding victory over Nepal in the final Super Six game. Uday Saharan and Sachin Dhas smashed a century each as they forged a 215-run stand – the highest fourth wicket partnership in U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup history. Nepal concluded their innings at 165/9, falling short of the target set by India by 132 runs.
Player of the Match: Sachin Dhas (116 off 101)
India beat South Africa by 2 wickets
Chasing for the first time in the tournament in the semi-finals, India encountered a stiff challenge from the tournament hosts South Africa, but ultimately emerged victorious in a thrilling contest. Uday Saharan held one end strong and his captain’s knock left India on the brink of a dramatic victory. Raj Limbani hit the winning runs to take India to their fifth consecutive U19 Men’s CWC final.
Player of the Match: Uday Saharan (81 off 124)
Australia’s Road to the Final
Australia beat Namibia by 4 wickets
In the opening game of the tournament, Namibia tested Australia’s mettle, pushing them to the brink in a closely contested match in Kimberley. Captain Hugh Weibgen led by example, forming a crucial partnership with Raf MacMillan to secure a hard-fought victory by four wickets.
Player of the Match: Callum Vidler (4/17)
Australia beat Zimbabwe by 225 runs
Australia responded to the close shave against Namibia in a dominant style with a massive win over Zimbabwe in their next game. The key destroyer was Harkirat Bajwa, whose spin threat was highlighted with figures of 4/15.
Player of the Match: Harry Dixon (89 off 108)
Australia beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets
Callum Vidler’s brilliant start to the tournament continued with two early wickets against Sri Lanka. Ryan Hicks displayed composure and control, hitting an unbeaten 77 to guide Australia to victory and secure passage to the Super Six stage.
Player of the Match: Ryan Hicks (77* off 104)
Australia beat England by 110 runs (DLS method)
Australia kicked off their Super Six journey with a thumping victory over traditional rivals England. Captain Hugh Weibgen led from the front, playing a captain’s knock with a top-class century. England were bowled out for a paltry score of 104.
Player of the Match: Hugh Weibgen (120 off 126)
Australia vs West Indies ended in No Result
Rain played spoilsport in the virtual knockout clash between Australia and West Indies, with Weibgen’s side securing semi-final qualification as points were shared in Kimberley.
Australia beat Pakistan by 1 wicket
The second semi-final of the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 between Australia and Pakistan unfolded as a memorable contest that will be etched in memory for years to come. Tom Straker ran through the Pakistan batting line-up, finishing with figures of 6/24, the best bowling figures in either semi-finals or finals at an U19 Men’s CWC to bowl Pakistan out for 179. In a nerve-racking ending, the game reached its conclusion in the final over when an inside edge from the bat of Raf MacMillan carried to the boundary beyond the desperate dive of Ubaid Shah to cue wild Australian celebrations.
Player of the Match: Tom Straker (6/24)