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While Pakistan defeated West Indies in the first semifinal by 20 runs, India triumphed over Australia in the second match of the last-four stage with a massive 86-run victory.
The final is scheduled for Saturday at Birmingham, beginning 9:30 pm IST.
Indian batting fires
Batting first, India’s middle order was set up by opener Robin Uthappa’s fiery 65 off 35 balls, which included 4 sixes and 6 fours.
Despite Ambati Rayudu (14) and Suresh Raina (5) falling cheaply, Uthappa never lifted his foot off the accelerator as an equally dominant Yuvraj Singh joined him for a 47-run partnership for the third wicket.
Spinner Xavier Doherty struck a vital blow for Australia by removing the dangerous Uthappa, but there was no let-up in India’s intent to score quickly.
Yuvraj and Yusuf Pathan then smashed 54 runs in just four overs to take the attack to the Aussies before Yuvraj was cleaned up by Peter Siddle for 59 off 28 balls. The flamboyant left-hander hit 5 sixes and 4 fours.
The game then witnessed a show put up by Pathan brothers, with Irfan joining his elder brother Yusuf. In India’s last match, the duo got separated after a mix-up, which led to Irfan’s run-out and left him fuming. But there was no such hiccup on Saturday. Instead, the brothers fired in unison.
In 5.4 overs, the Pathan brothers smashed 95 runs to send the Aussie bowlers to the cleaners, with Irfan being the more dominant of the duo, scoring 50 off just 19 balls.
Irfan was cleaned up by Siddle in the final over of India’s innings, but by then Yusuf, who remained not out for 51 off 23 balls, and India’s three other half-centurions had done enough damage to take the total to a gigantic 254 for 6 despite paceman Siddle’s effort of 4 for 57, while Brett Lee went for 60 runs in his four overs and remained wicketless.
Australia needed a big start from their openers Shaun Marsh (2) and Aaron Finch (16), but their top three, including Ben Dunk (10), were sent back inside the Powerplay to leave the big run-chase at a precarious 42 for 3.
But the procession of the Australian batsmen didn’t stop until Tim Paine (40 not out off 32 balls) and Nathan Coulter-Nile, who made quickfire 30 off 13 balls, tried to launch a fight. However, it was to no avail as the Aussie chase ended at 168 for 7.
Indian bowlers shared the spoils. Pawan Negi led the attack with his 2 for 35, with Dhawal Kulakarni (2 for 43) also striking twice. Rahul Shukla (1 for 25) , Harbhajan Singh (1 for 16) and Irfan (1 for 18) took one wicket apiece.
Pakistan thwarted Windies’ comeback
Pakistan had to thank their captain Younis Khan and opener Kamran Akmal for their 79-run stand for the fourth wicket after a top-order collapse.
Batting first, Sharjeel Khan (0), Sohaib Maqsood (1) and Shoaib Malik (0) departed cheaply to leave Pakistan struggling at 10 for 3. But Akmal held one end up before getting out for a counter-attacking 46 off 31 balls.
Younis too didn’t let the loose balls go unpunished but saw two fellow former Pakistan captains Shahid Afridi (1) and Misbah-ul-Haq (o) walking back to the pavilion in quick succession.
It was then left to Younis to once again steady the ship and he found able support from Aamer Yamin lower down the order as the duo added crucial 34 runs before Younis fell for a 45-ball 65 to pacer Fidel Edwards, who was the pick of the West Indies bowling with figures of 3 for 24.
Left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn also bowled appreciably, claiming 2 wickets of 26 runs.
But the Windies bowling came in for some punishment from tailenders Yamin and Sohail Tanvir as both used the long handle to good effect in a quickfire 61-run partnership for the 8th wicket.
Yamin remained not out at 40 off 18 balls, while Tanvir smased 33 off 17 to lead their team to a healthy total of 198 for 8.
In chase, West Indies top order of Dwayne Smith, Chris Gayle and Chadwick Walton failed to get going despite getting their eye in and departed for 26, 22 and 19 respectively.
Sohaib Maqsood (4 for 21) struck twice with the new ball to check the Windies and their run-rate, which never took off.
Ashley Nurse (36 off 24) then held the middle order for a while but was run out by Akmal as Jason Mohammed (7) and captain Darren Sammy (10) also departed without contributing much.
Rayad Emrit played a cameo of 29 off 9 balls, but it was in vain as the Windies’ innings folded up for 178 in 19.5 overs.
Wahab Riaz (2 for 35) and Malik (2 for 26) were the other wicket-takers for Pakistan.
