Pakistan into semis, India win but crash out

India’s one-run win over South Africa was not enough to keep them in the World Twenty20 Tuesday as the former champions were beaten to the semi-finals by arch-rivals Pakistan, who had a better net run rate. India made 152-6 in their 50 overs but they failed to stop South Africa reaching 121 runs, which would have put them into the last four at Pakistan’s expense. South Africa were eventually bowled out for 151 in 19.5 overs.
Australia also qualified for the semi-finals despite losing their Super Eights group two match to Pakistan by 32 runs earlier on Tuesday. Sri Lanka and the West Indies reached the last four from group one. India managed 152-6 in 20 overs against South Africa as their hopes of a World Twenty20 semi-final place hung in the balance.
Suresh Raina top-scored with 45 before he was run out off the final delivery, after South African captain AB de Villiers won the toss and opted to field first in the final Super Eights group two match at Premadasa stadium. India, who need to win by 31 runs to oust Pakistan from the semi-finals, found the varied South African attack tough to handle with Morne Morkel taking 2-28 and left-arm spinner Robin Peterson finishing with 2-25. Australia qualified for the last four despite losing their last Super Eights match by 32 runs against Pakistan at the same venue earlier in the day. Hosts Sri Lanka and the West Indies have already qualified for the semi-finals. Raina hit five boundaries during his 34-ball knock and added 44 for the fifth wicket with Rohit Sharma who made 25. India were off to a disastrous start as opener Gautum Gambhir was bowled by Morkel in the fourth over for eight, before the in-form Virat Kohli was caught behind off a rising delivery from Jacques Kallis for two in the next. It became 36-3 when Peterson bowled Virender Sehwag for 17, after the Indian opener hit him for a towering six a ball earlier. Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni chipped in with a quick 13-ball 23 with three boundaries.