Cricket: Australia win under-19 World Cup

Australia won the under-19 cricket World Cup tournament today, beating Pakistan by 25 runs in the final at Christchurch.

Batting first, Australia posted 207 runs for the loss of nine wickets.

It proved to be too many for Pakistan as Josh Hazlewood and Australia's spinners took control to dismiss them for 182 with 3.2 overs in hand.

It was Australia's third title, having won it at home in 1987-88 and in New Zealand in 2001-02.

They had relied on Luke Doran's impressive three for 32 and fast bowler Hazlewood's four for 30 to stop Pakistan's unbeaten run, while Jason Floros' 1 for 19 off eight was also important.

Ahmed Shehzad and skipper Azeem Ghumman threatened to take Pakistan to victory but both fell after solid displays to allow Australia the advantage.

Ghumman had accumulated cleverly with 41 off 90, willing his team to victory over the second half of the innings, but when he was bowled by the offspinner Floros in the 43rd over the end was near.

Shehzad, who has played six limited-overs games for the senior outfit, showed his class with some smart boundaries early in the chase, but he was slow to leave with 38 off 48 after pushing forward to the left-arm spinner Doran and being given out lbw.

Earlier , Australia were at a shaky 82 for five before Kane Richardson muscled a run-a-ball 44 and Tim Armstrong compiled 37 towards the end of the innings to steer their side to a respectable score.

- NZPA