Afghan U19 vs AUS Under-19, 3rd Place Play-off at Coolidge, U19 WC, Feb 04 2022 - Match Result

4.30 pm Sighs of relief from the Australia dugout followed by big cheers from the squad and the traveling parents on the grass banks. So Australia finish in third place, Afghanistan fourth.

Jay: "One has to feel for these Afghan kids. They lost to England in a heart breaking fashion and now this one after being sooooo close. You have done a marvelous job under the circumstances you came in- Keep your heads high!"

Nivethan Radhakrishnan is the Player of the Match for Australia for his 3 for 31 with the ball and 66 in the chase: "Great game of cricket for everyone here watching and for all of us involved. We would have liked to have chased it quicker, but for the game of cricket and for everything we've been through on this tour as individuals and as a group, traveling across the world and really bonding together, it was a really good finish. It really showed what we're made of, plenty of ticket shown. I'm not gonna lie, I felt pretty low after the game against India. But when I woke up this morning, it wasn't about winning or losing a World Cup. What we've done as a group through this World Cup has been marvelous. The boys have gone through so much physically and mentally. I think we've represented Australia the best we could have. To get third place and in a thriller like this where everyone was involved, couldn't be prouder of ourselves. I think I was probably due for a good performance. The expectations I have for myself and what the boys expect of me and the public as well to an extent, those who know my cricket view me as a matchwinner. I'm not gonna lie, I'm a bit dirty leaving it out there [getting out]. I think the cricket gods favored us a little bit and the rest of the boys stood up. At the end of the day, the stats sound good and I'm pretty happy with that."

Afghanistan captain Suliman Safi: "That was a very good and very close game. Very good effort from the boys. Ahmadzai played very well and Ishaq played very well. It's a very good sign for us that some boys had form. It's a great World Cup for all of us, a great experience here."

Australia captain Cooper Connolly: "I got a little bit nervous there at the end but other than that, I'm pretty happy with this. Today was a good performance overall. We were challenged with the ball in periods but came back, and then challenged with the bat at the end but stood strong for the win. [On Radhakrishnan] It's quite nice. He can bat well and bowl with both arms. So whenever you need him, he's always there and always willing to take the opportunity. There's a lot of positives for us, especially finishing third with only meeting once before we came away here."

That's it for our coverage today. Come back tomorrow when it'll be me and Alan Gardner again on commentary for the U19 World Cup Final. Can India claim their fifth title or will England raise their second championship? Join us in less than 24 hours for the grand finale from the Sir Viv Richards Stadium. For Alan and the scoring crew, I'm Peter Della Penna. Take care!

Nangyalai to bowl the final over with his left-arm spin around the stumps. No slip. Ten fielders in the ring at the moment trying to cut off the tying single. Only boundary rider is at deep midwicket.

From nine needed off 30 balls and five wickets in hand, Afghanistan have stretched this out to the final over with Australia still needing two to win and only two wickets left.

Extraordinary tension now for what is a third place playoff. The captain Suliman Safi brings himself on for the 49th. He's gone wicketless in four overs today. Around the stumps for his offspin to the lefty.

Josh Garner enters. No slip for him. Hmmm....

Ahmad Seyar Ama: "Kados to the Afghans for giving us entertainment despite of visa issues and not playing warm up matches and also so much has happened in past few months in their homeland. Still they manage to be on top and almost slayed a giant (Eng un19) in the semis... Literally Hats off to them "

Bright sunshine over the pitch right now. We'll get these three overs in hopefully without the rain returning.