India fail to reach semis, Pakistan through

Wednesday, 3 October 2012 00:41 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Pakistan to face hosts Sri Lanka in first semi tomorrow
Australia take on West Indies on Friday

By Shihar Aneez

Reuters:India failed to reach the World Twenty20 semi-finals despite beating South Africa by one run in a gripping final Super Eight Group Two match on Tuesday.

India's total of 152 for six was not enough because in the 17th over eliminated South Africa passed the target of 121 runs India's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (L) leads his men off the field after they won their Twenty20 World Cup Super 8 cricket match againstSouth Africa in Colombo October 2, 2012. India won the match by 1 run, but were knocked out after South Africa scored more than 121 runs, allowing Pakistan to take a place in the semifinals that ensuredAustralia and Pakistan would move into the last four.

Hosts Sri Lanka will meet Pakistan in the first semi-final in Colombo on Thursday and Australia take on the West Indies on Friday in the same stadium.

The final is on Sunday.

India scratched their way past 150, boosted by a late burst from Suresh Raina (45) and captain MS Dhoni (23 not out).

South Africa lost in-form opener Hashim Amla second ball but thanks to Faf du Plessis's rapid 65 India's Virat Kohli stands in front a display indicating the Pakistan had qualified for the semi finals after South Africa scored the 122nd run during their Twenty20 World Cup Super 8 cricket match in Colombo. REUTERS they threatened a first Super Eight victory before falling just short, Zaheer Khan claiming figures of three for 22 for India. Lakshmispathy Balaji was twice hit for six in the final over but he bowled Albie Morkel and his brother Morne to seal victory with one ball to spare.