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U-19 World Cup: Pakistan players heartbroken after they lose a nail-biting semifinal against Australia- WATCH
The Pakistan squad was devastated, with tears streaming down their faces after losing the U19 World Cup semifinal to Australia in a last-over thriller.
Published: Feb 09, 2024, 09:53 AM (IST)
Edited: Feb 09, 2024, 09:53 AM (IST)
Pakistan played one of the most dramatic knockouts in the history of the Under19 World Cup, but it was Australia who kept their nerve and advanced to the final. After a tumultuous 99 overs, the match came down to the final six balls, with Australia needing to dismiss three. Zeeshan Ahmed charged in, aiming to land the killer punch, but voice captain Raf MacMillan inside-edged the ball to the boundary. Ubaid Shah, Naseem’s brother, stationed at short fine leg, gave it a chase but finished second. Australia had won by the smallest margin of one wicket, when everything appeared to be lost a few overs earlier, and will face India in a spectacular final on Sunday.
Umaid remained frozen when the ball struck the boundary. Zeeshan and captain Saad Baig were on the ground, devastated, while the rest of the team couldn’t get up. Tears streamed down many cheeks. Pakistan was so close and yet so remote. They made a match out of it after going all out for 179, with Ali Raza dealing the majority of the damage with 4/34. But in the end, that just wasn’t going to happen. Heartbreak struck all around.
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However, if Pakistan had not spent time in between overs, things may have turned out better. As a result, they were compelled to position a fielder within the 30-yard circle. Who knows, if Ubaid had gone deeper, the outcome may have been different. But it is what it is. Pakistan is on its way back. Australia has entered the summit battle, which will see a repeat of the men’s ICC World Cup in 2023.
“Difficult to be the losing team, but we were short by 20-30 runs. We put in 100 percent effort. They played well. Boys fought really well. The way Ali Raza bowled was brilliant. Throughout the tournament, our bowling was good in the tournament. One team has to win, one has to lose, that’s the game,” losing captain Baig said at the post-match press conference.
Australia will face India in the tournament’s final on Sunday, February 11, following a nail-biting victory against Pakistan.