After winning a nail-biting contest against Bangladesh, Pakistan U19 has sealed the last semifinal spot in the ongoing U19 World Cup 2024. With India already qualified and both sides stuck at four points each, the PAK U19 vs BAN U19 match had become a virtual quarterfinal.
After restricting Pakistan to just 155 runs in the first innings, Bangladesh need to chase the target down in 38.1 overs to qualify for the semifinals. Unfortunately for the Bangla Tigers, he finished their innings in 35.5 overs but fell six runs short.
With the semifinals sealed (India, Pakistan, Australia, South Africa), the much-awaited IND vs PAK Final is still on the cards. With 20 teams playing, the two arch-rivals could not meet each other throughout the Group Stage and the Super Six.
The top Asian heavyweights will evade each other in the semifinals. But, given the form the Uday Saharan-led side is in and the way Pakistan U19 has made their way into the semifinals, an IND vs PAK Final seems likely to happen.
U19 World Cup 2024: Semifinals
SF 1: India U19 vs South Africa U19 (February 6 at Willowmoore Park, Benoni)
SF 2: Australia U19 vs Pakistan U19 (February 8 at Willowmoore Park, Benoni)
Of the four teams that have qualified for the semifinals, only South Africa has lost a match. The India and Pakistan U19 sides have won all four of their matches, while Australia had their last matches washed off.
Among the four semifinalists, the Men in Blue have been the most successful, with 5 titles to their name. They are followed by Australia (3), Pakistan (2), and South Africa (1).
