COLOMBO: 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 that ensured Australia 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 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.
COMMENTS (112)
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Okay guys,finishing everything,Pakistan is out to ! Now play street cricket !! xD aAnd no need to worry about,if we are not in this final,Insha Allah we will be there in the next final ! :) So cheer up,and have a beach party :P
The comments after India's exit are so premature. If anyone were to offer offer the following, guess what I would take -
Thrash the day lights out of Pak and lose in the QFs Or Lose to Pak and enter the SFs. ( Only to lose ).
Ha ha ha ha ha ha - no choice here.
@Unknown Sri lanka ...love you tooo!!
@sohaib your anxious wait is over sweet!
@Magnanimity you still do? show your Magnanimity
@i like it really? :) now?
@Proud to be Pakistani am i hearing someone wailing?
Virat Kohli crying! :'(
@Shree: Okhay sorry ! :) Next time I won't !
@Baqar: Say thanks to Australia as well...
Dr Mishra ji, brilliant. Your first para will get a lot of likes from Pakistanis. and i think your caling the IPL a glamorous private party which has the right to give out invitation cards to who they please is hard hitting but appropriate. Go for cup Pakistan, India cheers for you
guyz grow up.. there are many other things to worry about your nation than cricket.
@Tilopa: Stop watching starplus dramas. Start watching star sports and show some sports man spirit.
@raj: Yes, it's best T20 format. It let you waste your time on earning money and learning nothing. Have read what Afridi said but haven't what your media is saying. Please switch on the TV, my dear.
Team India Change your captain and learn cricket on merit dont by cricket, love cricket.
@Dr Mishra: Glad to see a sensible Indian gentleman here for a change instead of the provocative crawling trolls who polute this site on regular basis by dragging religion and politics in the sports discussions.
It is just a game folks, no need to get so jingoistic or defensive about it. I am an Indian and wish Pakistan the very best- hope they win the trophy. This young spinner Raza loooks good. Boom Boom Afridi is overrated.
India will recover, it won the world cup in 1983 and the Bensen and Hedges world cup in 1985 in Melbourne, plus I think it won the T 20 last year, or was it the 50 over format ? Who cares, life goes on.
As for IPL, it is a great glamorous tournament. After the Mumbai attacks, it was really not possible to let Pakistanis play there- too much hurt involved. Surely Pakistanis should understand. At the end of the day, when you throw a party , you invite who you want.
Guys lets pray there are no more terror attacks from Pak and then maybe after 5 years IpL WILL OPEN UP AGAIN?! For now, all the best for the finals
@ Balram: You can try and play football with your team in Mumbai now:)
Thank you South Africa ! :) You really stands as our true friend :))!! And, Congratulations TEAM PAKISTAN... we love you!!! And I knew you'd do it and show it to the world! It was harder to bear the loss against India but Allah had better plans for us:) What great relief I got when I saw some of the overly proud Indian team players faces down!! A message to all those who were complaining about our team performance can now see that we have not only continued our consistency in T-20's but we have 2 out of 3 best all-rounders, best bowler! Other team members have improved a lot evidence by their rankings! Yipeeeeee!!! HEHE ! ALL THE BEST GREEN SHIRTS IN SEMI'S!! and boom boom still hopes are wid u!!!
@raj: I never watch IPL ...I don't even remember the names of IPL teams or even how many of the teams play in it...toiling away for over a month and playing more than 50 matches ....most of which are fixed.......does that mean Cricket to you....no it is circus...and mind you if afridi or some other player said that they want to play then that is their individual thought.....not all the players are dying for IPL....and look who is on losing side regularly.........even though you are proud owners of fixed IPL...still you are out of T20 WC regularly....and Pakistani players who are not allowed to play your IPL...they are more successful.....oh I hear sobs from neighbours... even if we lose in semi final....fact is we are most consistent T20 team...hahaha......(intelligent smile....!!!!!)
@ Soomal Jamil : I dont think its correct to bring Allah in cricket matches all the time. Allah never discriminates among nations or people. Indians also equally believe in Allah. For Allah, everyone is equal. So give credit to those 11 who played well against Australia. Also Indians were unlucky to miss out despite doing well. One team cannot go on to win forever - be it India or be it Pakistan.
@Pakistani Agnostic (Riyadh): The team will not be completed without Afridi,he play or not play,but he is the best,we love you Afridi ♥ :)
@GrimmJow: It will also be remembered that Pak won to Aus,by a large margin ! And It will also be remembered that India lost the game,even after winning !
@Truth: You have every right to be proud of your team. India was not eliminated by three teams but by themselves because of the poor team selection (left out Harbajan), and failure of the so called power house batting line up who only managed 152 knowing that they needed a big score.
It took 3 teams (aus,pak, sa) combined effort to eliminate champion india...im proud of team india..
never forget one thing pakistani will continue loosing against india...if they do not improve their fielding......
i like reading the hate filled comments of pakistani against IPL......i know that pakistan can't organise so called PPL....and also because pakistani players have a very negative image in the world they are not taken in IPL but that doesn't mean u criticise such a world famous,reputed format of cricket in which pakistanis have such a high desire to play.....grow up people!!!
@Jut : " What are you talking about. In all format of the game, we have won 81 times against india whereas they have won 57 times!!! " .... I am talking as of now and not since we got independence !!!
@Syed : I said that with reference to Pak. Ofcrse India player poorly in Eng and Aus tests. Skillwise India is better .. but their management was sleeping during Ind - Pak match since they sent the info regarding NRR very late to Virat and Yuvi. Anyways lets hope either SriLanka or Pakistan wins the cup.
Those who are saying Pakistan got lucky (through SA reacing 122) need to clear their heads. Pakistan and India both had taks in their hands and Pakistan had a tougher one. Pakistan beat Australia convincingly i.e. by 32 runs (a big margin in T20s), thus giving India a tough ask. India, on the other hand only managed a narrow win. it is Maths. We, Pakistan did better and thus go through to the semis. Do not say we got lucky. We did our part, and very well too. Peace.
@vow: You have cursed your own team...I will be back to read your comments after the 1st semi-final hahahhaha (maniacal Laugh
Yha I still say pak vs ind match was fixed...We thrashed that ausie that thrashed India...We not only defeated Aus in UAE but also here..Pak is far better then they show against India...They just lost to please Indian people..Team India is good at IPL and advertisement...I am amazed that against South Africa dhoni was allowing south africa to reach 121 runs and not trying to restrick them...Dhoni just wanted to win that game and thats it..Dhoni did not use Ashwin well and did not play Harbajan as South Africans are really bad against spinners....and if Indians say we won 4 matches out of 5 then also observe that u just won by 1 run against South Africa...Had Morkel played remaining 2 balls a bit sensibly then u should not have that excuse as well....However best of luck to Pakistani team in Semi finals... Ammad Qureshi Rawalpindi
@H Chaudhry: And what about the 85-59 head to head count which is in Pakistan's favour?. Seems Indians only remember their stats and not those of others. India a strong team.....yeah I saw exactly how strong they where when I went to see them at the SCG.
Anyway congrats Pakistan and lets go out there and bring the T20 world cup home!!. Hoping for another PAK vs AUS clash in the final!!.
@Proudindian: you are right that india win from Pakistan but dude in championship there is not one match. youhave to win the matches to qualify for semi's. you have strong batting line up but wats the advantage for that wen you are not qualify for Semi's. now go home and play IPl. thats best for you.
you have to say thanks to south africa that they didnt make it other wise they are on your nerves as well.
Regards
Ali
@Tilopa: Oh yaa, India get ........... by SA but Pakistan .............. Australia. Suprised that you still know who ............you?
@Indian First:
Dil Ko Behlanay Ko Ghalib ye Khyal Acha hay. From now on you guys should just try to win against Pak. Finals and Semis are not for you;)
@shree: Better in skills wise, i see, i guess you have forgotten the indian trashing by Aussies and England, last year in the Test matches.
@Indian First: Asian Champions and soon to be world t20 champions. I suggest your mighty warriors learn to win somewhere other than India buddy boy
Good job by Pakistan - I think the Pak bowling attack have proved their mettle by this awesome display vs Australia. Way to go and all the best! To those who taunt the Indian team, I think they did a fair job losing only one match till now, so they have no reason to feel ashamed.
@Bigboy: it may.....but rankings are just number games.one should not give undue importance to such trivia...cbetter to stay at 3 or 4 than nowhere.
@Shree: What are you talking about. In all format of the game, we have won 81 times against india whereas they have won 57 times!!!
LOL. Indian's comments on this page is a proof about the heartbreak Indian's are going through due to Pakistan's victory.. Dear Indian fellows please don't forget to thank the Indian sponsors of ICC who are the major stakeholders in this event for making India win from Pakistan on 30 Sept 2012.. Yes you got it right;)
I am sad we did not qualify for the semis stage. Even after watching the Aus-Pak match, Dhoni did not learn that the pitch was favoring the spinners. I think Zak should have been dropped and Bhajji included in the playing eleven. Ifs and buts will always remain as they are. I see a lot of Pakistanis are very happy that India did not qualify because I believe you guys are afraid of playing Indian in world cup due to the obvious records. On the other hand we Indians always like to see Indian-Pakistan finals. But what can I say, best of luck for the tournament. Victory in 2007 was very sweet, I bet you too would like to beat India in a world cup final and taste the same victory, I guess you guys have to wait for another couple of years to realize that dream.
Congrats !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please win & make us Pakistanis Happy . We need this happiness after all whats been going on we need this please make us Proud
congratulations pakistan. you played well and, a well deserved place in the semifinal
Happy for Pakistan that they have qualified for the Semis ! Its a unique achievement that in every T20 world cup they have qualified for semi finals ! This is called CONSISTENCY ! Its correct that Pakistan has yet to beat India in WC game and they can boast and exaggerate about it but the sad truth for them is that 'even after beating Pakistan' they are still going home ! I hope they see and understand the irony in that - and perhaps then they 'll realize the true joy of a PAKISTANI.
AND technically we did beat India - remember the warm up game :P
@Enlightened: thanks. There is some sanity left in this world.
@Proudindian: India knocked out, I know it really hurts. Third time is a charm for not making it to the semi's. Glad that you are proud of Team India for getting trashed by Aussie and winning by just 1 run today. Anyways better luck next time and thanks for handing us the semi's in a golden plate. ;)
@Balram: Sour grapes! Suit yourself if this satisfies your ego. Bottom line, you are out, done and dusted from the tournament.
Now Pakistan will play Srilanka in semi final
Pakistan team, will have to work very hard, as Srilankan batsman also play spin quite good, they also have some good spiners as well, the best effort from Pakistan, to stop extra runs, must do very good fieldings, so they can win this match, only from their fielding performance
If Afridi in side, let him open the inning, as he play every number in same style
Good job! :)
Aussie pourposly lost to pakistan because they wanted windies in semis and most probably sris or pakis iun finals, which is a piece of cake, they knew india shall very badly eliminate them hence they preferd losing rather winning... Still, we are going out with respect... Defeated pakistan, fought till the last over and WERE NOT DEPENDENT ON OTHER'S MATCH TO REACH AHEAD....
@Tilopa: " Pakistani fan’s celebration is so stupid. It is like celebrating one’s own wife’s pregnancy even when he knows he wasn’t the reason behind it! ;-)"
Thanks for sharing your story!
I agree with Khan! I think Pakistan fans have the least to say to India given that we are 0-8 vs them in World cups and have lost 4 straight games to them since 2010 Champions trophy victory barring the warm up game. India is too strong of a team these days and I am afraid most of you will have to eat up your words.
In the name of ALLAH is the most Sufficient and Merciful Congratulation Pakistan qualified for semi final Pakistan Zindabad I hope Pakistan Qualified for Final Insha Allah
India has already shown thumbs down to Pakistan!! That was the ultimate victory..no more cricket needed to an average Indian Cricket Spectator ..that is the ultimate satisfaction for him
Congrats to Pakistan team. I think now they have a very good chance to win this cup. I feel it will be a Aus-Pak final
congrates pakistan......! pakistan zindabaddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd
@Shree: correction- they are a better side when they play pakistan. sadly the pakistan team has a mental block against INdia in world cups but that doesnt mean they are a 'far better team' as you claim. If they were, they would be preparing for the semi finals and not a plane ride back home. Finally, im sure if India qualified there would be none of this nonsensical talk of t20 format being lucky and fun. If its so lucky, why do none of the minnow sides ever win?
Not to worry, India will win the IPL world cup
@Shree Perfect example of a sore loser please we are better in tests than India which is real cricket. Please stop crying
Grow up guys enough of this taunts like teenager boys .. Its just a sport and meant for entertainment like it or not Indian team is still stronger than ours especially their batting. Although I was cheering for S.A because of NRR factor but was also feeling sad in heart for Indian team. Whether we win or lose that won't matter much if our team plays like professional unit and provide us some entertainment till last bowl.
India has the best betting line up in the world.. and we will show it in the IPL. South Africa might be a continent but India is the real king of cricket. Jai IPL
This T-20 format is just for fun and doesnt involve too much cricketing skills. Anyone can beat anyone. South Africa lost all their matches despite being one of the best sides in the world. India won 4 out of 5 matches in which they played which is not bad at all and still are a far better side than Pak. Pakistan may go on to win the world cup and also future T20 world cups but the effort should be to improve their cricketing skills to do better in onedayers and tests.
man, look ta the jubilation of Pakistanis, as if "they" themselves have knocked India out of the tournament. Not a single WC win against India. I mean who in the world could achieve that feat, well, of course-Pakistan. First beat us and then boast.
That pic with the screenshot is priceless :) Feel sorry for the Indian team really, with all that wild media and IPL hype one can imagine the pressure on those men.
Yeh cup hamara ha! Go Pakistan!
In these dire conditions, Pakistan is achieving victory at least in sports irrespective of other losses happening around in the country. Congrats Pakistan.
Come on guys don't be too harsh on our neighbours, even indians are humans. :p
Well done PAKISTAN Brilliant performance by Raza Hasan and Ajmal(again).Not to mention awesome captaincy by Hafeez. Afridi needs to be kicked out before his failings result in a defeat.
On a negative side: Just cements our status as champions of unpredictability
Where are those educated pakistani who claimed that ind vs pak match was fixed because bcci was rich and so and so....if it was the case then india could have restricted sa to below 121 today....i hope after todays match you guys will accept that ind comprensively defeated pak the other day
Actually I m satisfied with india's performance because it qualified to super 8..and it lost only 1 game that too to australians in entire tournament...but the main reason i m extremely happy with my team is because they beat pakistan.....it was so pleasing to see india thrashing pakistan....therefore all the mistakes of indian can b happily forgiven:)
@vow: hyped,boring and long..???hahah.....burning eh??? shahid afridi himself called IPL as the best t20 format game and wished if he could play in future......google if u think i am lying..i bet u too follow IPL...hehehe...so which team is ur fav???lol
All Indian trolls have gone to the airport'!!!!!!!
@Bigboy: Seriously! Who cares about the T20 rankings, they are rubbish anyways based on a few matches. I think progressing to the next stage in the world cup was much much more important.
Where are Indians?? Anxiously waiting for them.
Best pic posted "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." Just loving it.
Love the mourning faces of Virat and yuvraj singh :)
Pakistan Zindabad!
Congrats Dear Neighbours I favour pakistani team now as Indian team is out of contest. Bring back the trophy to subcontinent. Sri lankans are my next favourite to win this trophy. All the best. Peace.
... and finally india qualified for the airport ... hehehe!!!
And finally india qualified for the airport return to homeland hehehe!
Lol, feels amused to see all the pakis so excited... Good luck for the rest of the tournament..
But Remember - However far you go in the tournament, if you don't win the world cup, it would still be remembered as Pak lost to India & has never ever won a single game in any world cup tourneys.
Gl for the cup! :)
India have gone out with heads held high defeating the two best sides in group of death.Anyways congrats to Pak and best of luck for the semis
i personally like india, but dude the victory today tastes sooooo daaammmnnnn sweeetttttt!!! this is what i think indians call "karma" and pakistani call "lay lee"
Pakistani fan's celebration is so stupid. It is like celebrating one's own wife's pregnancy even when he knows he wasn't the reason behind it! ;-)
Congratulations to Pakistan for reaching the S/F. Incidentally, I was the only Indian who commented on ET that Pakistan has the potential to beat the mighty Aussies but by such a huge margin was not on my mind. India is not at all disgraced and can hold its head high since it also won against SA but as Dhoni rightly made a point that he had no control over the results of other matches. Best of luck to Pakistan to win this tournament.
Indians! Take a hike. Play your damn IPL. You should be garteful to Bhagwan that SA lost only by one run. Had SA won the match you would be licking your wounds.
Never forget the importance of history!... Both teams followed tradition.. SA choking and Indians going home....lol kiya batting hay!... Gambhir..sehwag..kohli..dhoni.raina..yuvraj..sharma.. Ipl experience.. Going home!
What is this wild sobbing I hear from next door?
@amer:
They will never get there: Indian cricket a sinking ship!
India is now ranked World No.2 in T20. The richest cricket players will soon top the rankings.
Indian trolls conspicuous by their absence! C'mon- be sporting and congratulate us (instead of sulking)!
PAK proves yet again they are world beaters! PAKISTAN ZINDABAD!
South Africa....tum jeeto yaa haaro.....Hummain tum say piyar hai.....
CONGRATULATIONS to all the INDIAN trolls. Go enjoy some idlees and samosa, we will send some sweets later.
Indians......now go and live with your over hyped boring, fixed, extremely long IPL....you belong only in domestic tournaments...Pak 4th semi final in a row...2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012.....!!!! champion in 2009 also.....................way to go....team which does not even play IPL...goes on and reaches semis every time..... something to ponder for india...... may be you need to let others play IPL in india and not play yourselves....you are cursed by IPL....ha ha ha