Australia has won its third ICC U19 Cricket World Cup title with a 25-run win over Pakistan – after its bowling attack expertly neutralized Pakistan’s batting threat. Set 208 to win at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Christchurch, Pakistan was bundled out in the 47th over after Australia’s paceman Josh Hazlewood and left-arm spinner Luke Doran ripped through the batting lineup.

Pakistan started comfortably as Babar Azam and Ahmad Shazhad accumulated 54 for the second wicket, but found themselves on the back foot after Doran dismissed first Shazhad, then Babar to have Pakistan at 74 for three.

Australia’s middle order fought back as Alex Keath and Jason Floros put on 56 for the fourth wicket, and Tim Armstrong and Tom Triffit added 46 for the sixth. The best stand came for the seventh wicket as 18-year old South Australian Kane Richardson hit a quick 44, combining with Armstrong in a 61-run partnership to rescue the innings.

Doran and Alister McDermott added a few fighting runs at the tail end to take Australia to a total of 207 for nine.

After the match Dominic Hendricks of South Africa was named the Player of the Tournament after finishing as the tournament’s highest run-scorer, amassing 391 runs in six innings at an outstanding average of 97.75.

Pakistan v Australia at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln (Super League Final)

Australia 207-9 in 50 overs (Kane Richardson 44, Tim Armstrong 37, Jason Floros 35; Sarmad Bhatti 3-33, Fayyaz Butt 2-37)

Pakistan 182 all out in 46.4 overs (Azeem Ghumman 41, Ahmad Shahzad 36; Josh Hazlewood 4-30, Luke Doran 3-32)

Australia won by 25 runs

Man of the Match: Josh Hazlewood