All you need to know for U19 World Cup semi-finals

By Jonathan Healy

The first semi-final will be held on Tuesday February 6 at Willowmore Park, with unbeaten India taking on tournaments hosts South Africa.

Pakistan clinched the last berth in the semis with a thrilling triumph over Bangladesh on Saturday and will battle it out against Group 2 pacesetter and three-time champion Australia in the other semi-final.

First semi-final, Tuesday February 6, 10am (local), Willowmoore Park, Benoni

India v South Africa

India squad: Arshin Kulkarni, Adarsh Singh, Rudra Mayur Patel, Sachin Dhas, Priyanshu Moliya, Musheer Khan, Uday Saharan (c), Aravelly Avanish Rao, Saumy Kumar Pandey, Murugan Abhishek, Innesh Mahajan, Dhanush Gowda, Aaradhya Shukla, Raj Limbani, Naman Tiwari

India leading run-scorer: Musheer Khan - 334 runs
India leading wicket-taker: Saumy Pandey - 16 wickets

India results thus far:

defeated Bangladesh by 84 runs
defeated Ireland by 201 runs
defeated USA by 201 runs
defeated New Zealand by 214 runs
defeated Nepal by 132 runs

Key player: Musheer Khan

There's no doubt that India's strength so far at the tournament has been their batting and Musheer has played a major part in this with two centuries and a half-century to have the most runs of any player at the event. India have batted first in every match during their unbeaten run in South Africa and will back Musheer and his fellow top-order to put another big score on the board again against the tournament hosts.

South Africa squad: David Teeger, Juan James (c), Martin Khumalo, Tristan Luus, Kwena Maphaka, Dewan Marias, Riley Norton, Nqobani Mokoena, Romashan Pillay, Sipho Potsane, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Richard Seletswane, Oliver Whitehead, Steve Stolk, Ntando Zuma

South Africa leading run-scorer: Steve Stolk - 214
South Africa leading wicket-taker: Kwena Maphaka - 18

South Africa results thus far:

defeated West Indies by 31 runs
lost to England by 36 runs (DLS method)
defeated Scotland by seven wickets
defeated Zimbabwe by nine wickets
defeated Sri Lanka by 119 runs

Key player: Kwena Maphaka

The South Africa quick has been in sensational form with the new ball for the majority of the tournament and his ability to get some movement early could be difficult for the India top-order to handle. If the tournaments hosts are to defeat the reigning champions then Maphaka will need to make early inroads.

Second semi-final, Thursday February 8, 10am (local), Willowmoore Park, Benoni

Australia v Pakistan

Australia squad: Hugh Weibgen (c), Lachlan Aitken, Charlie Anderson, Harkirat Bajwa, Mahli Beardman, Tom Campbell, Harry Dixon, Ryan Hicks, Sam Konstas, Rafael MacMillan, Aidan O’Connor, Harjas Singh, Tom Straker, Callum Vidler, Ollie Peake

Australia leading run-scorer: Hugh Weibgen - 252
Australia leading wicket-taker: Callum Vidler - 11

Australia results thus far:

defeated Namibia by four wickets
defeated Zimbabwe by 225 runs
defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets
defeated England by 110 runs (DLS method)
match abandoned against West Indies

Key player: Sam Konstas

While teammates Hugh Weibgen and Harry Dixon have scored more runs than Konstas at the tournament, it's the Australia No.3 that might hold the key to their batting fortunes. Konstas hit a superb 108 against the West Indies last match and looks to be hitting form at the right time of the tournament.

Pakistan squad: Saad Baig (c), Ali Asfand, Ali Raza, Ahmad Hassan, Amir Hassan, Arfat Minhas, Azan Awais, Haroon Arshad, Khubaib Khalil, Mohammad Zeeshan, Naveed Ahmed Khan, Shahzaib Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Muhammad Riazullah, Ubaid Shah

Pakistan leading run-scorer: Shahzaib Khan - 260
Pakistan leading wicket-taker: Ubaid Shah - 17

Pakistan results thus far:

defeated Afghanistan by 181 runs
defeated Nepal by five wickets
defeated New Zealand by 10 wickets
defeated Ireland by three wickets
defeated Bangladesh by five runs

Key player: Ubaid Shah

The Australia top-order has looked a bit fragile at times during the tournament and Ubaid has already shown his capabilities of striking with the new ball. If the quick right-armer can claim early wickets for Pakistan then Australia will be on the back foot and the Asian team will fancy their chances.