Pakistan benefited from South Africa’s shock loss to the Netherlands to claim a place in the T20 World Cup semi-finals after a five-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Adelaide.
A Super 12s exit looked to be on the cards for Pakistan after defeats against both India and Zimbabwe but Babar Azam’s side kept themselves in the hunt by beating the Netherlands and South Africa.
Had South Africa won their final group game, also in Adelaide, then Sunday’s later game would have been irrelevant but the Proteas’ slip-up meant a straight shootout between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Shaheen Shah Afridi was outstanding in taking four for 22 as Bangladesh were restricted to 127 for eight, with Najmul Hossain Shanto’s 54 off 48 balls crucial for the Tigers, who won the toss.
There was controversy when the on-field lbw verdict against Shakib Al Hasan was upheld by the third umpire as technology was inconclusive about whether the Bangladesh captain had got bat to ball.
Bangladesh were on 70 for one at halfway but they lost momentum and wickets fell at regular intervals in the second half of their innings.
Pakistan openers Babar and Mohammad Rizwan put on 57 in 10.3 overs, although the former looked short of fluency while the latter was given a let-off when he was dropped on nought by wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan.
Babar contributed 25 off 33 deliveries while Rizwan made a run-a-ball 32 before Mohammad Haris injected some urgency into proceedings with 31 off 18.
Shan Masood made 24 off 14 balls to make sure there was no late drama as Pakistan ultimately coasted to victory with 11 balls remaining.
Yadav stars in India cruise
England learned their semi-final opponents at the T20 World Cup will be India, who brushed aside Zimbabwe by 71 runs at the MCG to finish top of their Super 12s group.
Suryakumar Yadav sparkled in India’s 186 for five, combining power hitting with some trademark inventive strokeplay in a buccaneering 61 not out from 25 balls, with four sixes and six fours.
India’s seamers made short work of their opponents’ top order as Zimbabwe lurched to 36 for five before being bundled out for 115 in 17.2 overs, with spinner Ravichandran Ashwin finishing with three for 22.
India’s qualification to the knockout rounds was sealed after South Africa’s shock defeat against the Netherlands but Rohit Sharma’s side leapfrogged Pakistan to finish at the summit of their group.
That has set up a last four clash on Thursday against England at Adelaide. England finished second in their group behind New Zealand, who will face Pakistan on Wednesday in the other semi-final at Sydney.
India made a bright start after winning the toss in front of an 82,507 crowd, with KL Rahul shining at the top of the order as he contributed 51 off 35 deliveries, including three fours and three sixes.
"Class and power, that is KL Rahul!" 👌💪
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) November 6, 2022
A 34-ball fifty for Rahul - so it was a shame for India he got out next delivery! ❌
India 103-4 after 14 overs against Zimbabwe as they target a win that will see them top Group 2 and face England in #T20WorldCup semi-finals pic.twitter.com/zmQ8kvsrUt
While the opening batter and Rishabh Pant were dismissed within the space of nine balls to leave India on 101 for four midway through the 13th over, Yadav made sure their innings did not run out of steam.
As well some fearsome blows over the off-side there were some innovative whips and scoops to Zimbabwe’s fast bowlers as Yadav helped India take 79 runs off the last five overs.
Wessly Madhevere was dismissed from the first ball of Zimbabwe’s reply after lashing Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Virat Kohli and India hardly looked back from that point forwards.
Sikandar Raza (34 off 24 balls) and Ryan Burl (35 off 22 deliveries) made sure Zimbabwe did not sink without trace but their contributions amounted to little more than damage limitation.
