Australia beat Pakistan to lift U-19 World Cup

Lincoln, New Zealand:

Australia lifted their third Under-19 Cricket World Cup title after putting up a fine all-round performance to beat Pakistan by 25 runs in a low-scoring final here on Saturday.

Put into bat, Australia first posted a competitive 207 in the stipulated 50 overs and then skittled out Pakistan for 182 in 46.4 overs.

Pacer Josh Hazlewood's four-wicket haul and left-arm spinner Luke Doran's three scalps to bring the downfall of the former champions Pakistan.

Chasing 208 to win, Pakistan batsmen could not capitalise on their starts and the team kept losing wickets in regular intervals.

Skipper Azeem Ghumman top scored with a 90-ball 41, which included just one four and the only partnership that gave Pakistan's total some respectability was the 54-run first wicket stand between Ahmad Shahzad (36) and Muhammad Babar (28).

Earlier batting first, Australia recovered after being reduced to 23 for three inside five overs. A 57-run stand between Jason Floros (35) and Alex Keath (25) resurrected their innings before a run-out saw the former back into the hut.

Alex also didn't last long and was dismissed after 15 balls as Australia slipped to 127 for six in 34.5 overs but a fruitful 62-run partnership between Tim Armstrong (37) and Kane Richardson (44) pulled them out of the crisis.