Kenya celebrate a famous triumph (Getty Images).

Click here for full scorecard
Click here for quotes and reaction
Click here for Super Six standings
Click here for photo gallery
Click here for more World Cup news

Kenya went a long way to proving their critics wrong by qualifying for a first ever World Cup semi-final with a crushing seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe.

Set just 134 to win, Kenya overcame the loss of early wickets to reach their target with 24 overs to spare and set up a last-four clash with India.

Kenya's cause had been significantly helped by New Zealand forfeiting four points for refusing to play in Nairobi in the group stages, but star batsman Maurice Odumbe feels Kenya deserve to be in the last four alongside Australia and India.

"After getting Zimbabwe out for 133 it was not going to be easy but we had to go out there and be positive," said Odumbe, who hit the winning runs with his eighth four in a 20-ball innings of 38.

"Small scores are very tricky normally so we decided if there was a ball to be hit we were going to hit it.

"I'm happy with the way we played. There are a lot of critics out there saying we are not supposed to be in the Super Six but today maybe we have proved them wrong with our performance.

"It's not every day we get to the semi-finals of the World Cup, especially considering the teams that have already dropped out. It's a great feeling and I'm sure everyone back home will be very happy."

Chasing their low target after bowling superbly to dismiss Zimbabwe for 133, opener Ravindu Shah was unlucky to be run out when backing up by a slight deflection from bowler Andy Blignaut, but captain Steve Tikolo had no excuse for attempting a hook off the same bowler which he could only miscue to Heath Streak at cover.

Kennedy Otieno had already enjoyed a good day in the field with four catches and made 19 from 50 balls before being trapped lbw by Henry Olonga.

That left Kenya 62 for three but Thomas Odoyo took up the challenge with relish, his i43 not out containing nine fours, the fifth of those taking him past 1,000 career runs in one-day internationals.

Odumbe was quick to join in the assault, all but six of his 38 runs coming from boundaries, and his eighth four sealed an historic win.

Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak, who saw his side bow out of the competition, admitted they had been second best on the day.

"We're very disappointed but credit must go to Kenya," he said. "Unfortunately our batters got out to some soft dismissals but it was because of the pressure they created.

"It was a slowish wicket so the ball wasn't coming on. The guys got a bit stuck in the middle and we didn't put enough of a decent total to put any pressure on them.

"I think they played the better cricket on the day."

Kenya were certainly always in command, Martin Suji and Collins Obuya claiming three wickets apiece, and when Odoyo eventually claimed the vital wicket of Andy Flower for 63 from 101 balls, the African minnows were firmly on course.

Flower had survived a scare when he was dropped at point by Obuya off Odoyo when he had scored just two, and he almost became the victim of a farcical run-out after reaching his half century off 74 balls with his fifth boundary.

The left-hander set off for a quick single but then aborted, and although he got back in time, partner Andy Blignaut had also run all the way through to the striker's end.

That gave wicketkeeper Kennedy Otieno plenty of time to collect the throw and run back to the bowler's end and remove the bails, Blignaut eventually given out after consultation with the third umpire.

Streak went for a duck just two runs later, caught by Shah at first slip off the bowling of the impressive Obuya.

While Flower was still there Zimbabwe had some hope of posting a competitive total, but Odoyo claimed the vital wicket with the eighth delivery of his second spell.

Flower looked to turn the ball away on the leg side but it clipped his thigh pad and flicked the outside of his leg stump, removing just one bail.

Captain Tikolo then took the final two wickets as Zimbabwe were dismissed for 133 from the first ball of the 45th over.