Christchurch: Riding on an all-round show, Australia stormed into the finals of the ongoing ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup after beating Afghanistan by six wickets in the semi-finals here on Monday.
Three-time champions Australia will now face the winner between arch-rivals India and Pakistan in the summit clash on February 3.Electing to bat first, the war-torn nation put on board a modest 181 before being bundled out in 48 overs. Wicketkeeper-batsman Ikram Ali Khil was the top contributor for Afghanistan with 80 runs while other batsmen fell cheaply against a decent Australian bowling attack.
Right-arm medium pacer Jonathan Merlo was the wrecker-in-chief with figures of 4/24 while Zak Evans bagged two for 26 runs.In reply, Australia received the first jolt in the sixth over with 26 runs on board however, a 77-run stand between opener James Edwards (72) and skipper Jason Sangha (26) for the second wicket put things in control.
Param Uppal and Nathan McSweeney chipped in with 32 and 22 runs respectively to guide Australia home in 37.3 overs.Leggie Qais Ahmad scalped couple of wickets for 35 runs.
Brief Scores:
Afghanistan: 181 all out in 48 overs.(IA Khil 80, R Gurbaz 29; J Merlo 4/24, Z Evans 2/26) lose to
Australia: 182 for 4 in 37.3 overs.(J Edwards 72, P Uppal 32 not out; Q Ahmad 2/35).
(UNI)
