In the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2024, India and Australia continued to showcase their dominance by maintaining unbeaten streaks and delivering commanding performances against Ireland and Zimbabwe, respectively.
Australia faced Zimbabwe in Kimberley and posted a formidable total of 296/7 in 50 overs. Harry Dixon and Hugh Weibgen played crucial roles, contributing with half-centuries, while Tom Campbell’s explosive finish added valuable runs to the scoreboard.
The Australian bowlers, led by Mahli Beardman and Harkirat Bajwa, then dismantled the Zimbabwean batting lineup, restricting them to just 71 runs.
Bajwa’s impressive four-wicket haul secured Australia’s second consecutive win in Group C, highlighting their strength in both batting and bowling. The final scorecard read Australia 296/7 (50 overs) vs. Zimbabwe 71 (23.2 overs).
Meanwhile, in Bloemfontein, India posted an imposing total of 301/7 in 50 overs against Ireland. The highlight of India’s innings was Musheer Khan’s dazzling century, supported by a crucial 156-run partnership between Captain Uday Saharan and Musheer.
In response, Ireland struggled as Naman Tiwari and Saumy Pandey orchestrated a brilliant bowling display. Tiwari claimed four wickets, guiding India to a convincing 201-run victory. The final scorecard displayed India 301/7 (50 overs) vs. Ireland 100 (29.4 overs).
Both matches showcased the depth of talent in the U19 teams of India and Australia, with impressive performances from both batsmen and bowlers.
The victories solidified India and Australia’s positions at the top of their respective groups, underlining their status as strong contenders in the tournament.
Harry Dixon, who played a pivotal role for Australia, emphasized the importance of settling in before his match-winning knock. On the other hand, Musheer Khan, named the Player of the Match for India, drew parallels with his brother Sarfaraz Khan’s recent century for India A against England Lions in an unofficial Test match, showcasing the rich cricketing lineage in his family.
As the U19 World Cup progresses, these victories set the stage for exciting clashes ahead for both India and Australia. The teams will aim to carry forward their momentum and maintain their unbeaten records, further solidifying their credentials as frontrunners in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024.