DURBAN, South Africa, Sept 21 (AFP): India snatched a dramatic 37-run victory over hosts South Africa Thursday to storm into the semi- finals of the Twenty20 World Championships.
India, restricted to 153-5 in a game they had to win to stay afloat, hit back to stop South Africa to 116-9 and knock Graeme Smith's home team out of the tournament.
India, South Africa and New Zealand finished group E of the Super Eights on four points each, but India took the Kiwis along into the semi-finals due to superior net run-rates.
In Saturday's semi-finals, India clash with Australia at the Kingsmead here while New Zealand meet group F leaders Pakistan at the Newlands in Cape Town.
In an unexpected turn of events, South Africa not only lost a match they appeared to be winning but failed to make 126 that would have helped them pip New Zealand on run-rate.
The hosts slumped to 31-5, recovered through a 69-run stand for the sixth wicket between Mark Boucher and Albie Morkel but failed to get past the tight Indian bowling backed by good fielding.
South Africa needed 17 off the final over to reach the magic figure of 126, but off-spinner Harbhajan Singh tied the batsmen down to concede just seven runs.
Left-arm seamer Rudra Pratap Singh led India's charge with 4-13 from his four overs while Shanthakumaran Sreesanth and Harbhajan claimed two wickets each.
"It is really disappointing not to make the semis of our own tournament," said Smith, the South African captain.
Inspired India shatter South Africa's dream
FE Team | Published: September 22, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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