Stern test awaits on as the cricketing stage is all set for the semifinals to be played tomorrow as Kiwis face Pakistan and Kangaroos meet the Men in Blue. Team India beat hosts by 37 runs to knock them out of the World Twenty20 in Durban.
Paceman RP Singh was superb to provide India the cutting edge against a much appeared formidable South African batting line-up, who needed 126 to oust New Zealand from a semifinal berth but eventually limped to 116-9.
India, baffled by withdrawal of Yuvraj, the previous match winning and record setting hero, struggled on a variable bouncing pitch reeling to 33 for 3, but a tremendous 85-run partnership between newcomer Rohit and skipper Dhoni turned the game around to propel India to 153 for 5.
In reply, the Proteas lost top batsmen Gibbs, Smith and Villiers who fell cheaply. The dangerous Kemp found himself short of the crease as Pollock was bowled out on the very first ball he faced with team tottering at 48 for five.
The veteran Boucher and Morkel however put on 69 for the sixth wicket stand but the home support was left to a shock as the team finally got eliminated.
Australian pace attack bowled out Sri Lanka for 101 as Hayden along with Gilchrist, the standing captain for Ponting lifted the world’s top-ranked Test and one-day team to 102-0 in mere 10.2 overs. Clark, the most devastating Australian bowler finished 4-20.
Tigers were restricted to 140 all out, with Junaid Siddique hitting 71 on his debut, as Pakistan made 141-6. Nazir, 27 not out got the winning runs as dangerman Afridi fired 39 from 15 balls as Pakistan marched to the semi-finals with a perfect record in the Super Eights.
Via: Bloomberg
The passion is again growing, hopes are again building their nests.
