Osbourn: The smooth performance of Nivethan Radhakrishnan fired Australia to third place in the ICC under 19 World Cup with two-goal victory over Afghanistan.
The AmbidexTrous All-Rounder took three for 31 to limit Afghanistan to 201 all remove the first blow, before scoring half a century in the pursuit.
Australia was sweaty but finally sneaked home with five spare balls.
Afghanistan, hoping to improve their previous best results in this tournament – fourth in 2018, win a throw and choose bat on the cricket soil Coolidge in Antigua and Barbuda.
But the first two goal for William Salzmann (3-43), removed Nangeyyia Kharote and Allah Noor, reduced Afghanistan to 15 for two people.
Mohammad Ishaq (34) and Skipper Suliman Shafi (37) began rebuilding, adding 70 before the first to run out of Salzmann, the last fall three balls then to Radhakrishnan.
Ijaz Ahmadzai took the stick, made 81 when the goal continued to fall around him, before becoming a ninth man fell when the last victim Salzmann with a score of 201.
Skipper Cooper Connolly (2-30) spent the second half with the second goal in the final, leaving Australia With pursuits that can be managed when they set 202 to win.
Campbell Kellaway (51) and Teague Wyllie (13) put in half a century desire for the first goal before the last one pressed by Nangeyia to bring Radhakrishnan to the fold.
He and Kellaway added 60 again before a little faltering when Noor Ahmad released Kellaway and Connolly in rapid succession.
Isaac Higgins joined Radhakrishnan, scored 11 in a 40-run partnership, but when both were dismissed with 35 needed, some nerves began to emerge.
Lachlan Shaw (13) and Corey Miller (13) then added 26 to take Australia to a ravine before three goal quickly gave Afghan hope.
They took him to the final, but Joshua Garner (four did not come out) holding his courage to see Australia home.
ICC Under 19 Men Cricket World Cup 2022 Placings3 – Australia 4 – Afghanistan 5- Pakistan 6- Sri Lanka 7- South Africa 8 – Bangladesh 9 – United Arab Emirates 10 – Ireland 11 – West Indies 12 – Zimbabwe 13 – Scotland 15 – Scotland 15 – Scotland – Canada 16 – PNG.