Pakistan, Australia advance to World T20 semifinals

Colombo, Sri Lanka (4E Sports) – Left-handed batsman Nasir Jamshed delivered a half-century to help Pakistan pummel Australia by 32 runs and barge into the semifinal of the World Twenty20 Tuesday at R Premadasa Stadium.

Pakistan’s entry into the final four was sealed after India allowed South Africa to score 151 runs during its one-run victory in the Super Eights.

With a poor net run-rate, India needed to limit South Africa’s output below 122 to make it to the semifinal.

Despite the loss, Australia advanced to the next round thanks to its high net run-rate of 0.46 against Pakistan’s 0.27 and India’s -0.29.

Pakistan, the 2009 champion, will face Sri Lanka in the first semifinal clash Thursday at Colombo’s Premadasa stadium, while Australia clash with the West Indies Friday at the same venue. The final will be played Sunday.

Pakistan captured the win behind the impressive bowling display of Saeed Ajmal (3-17), Raza Hasan (2-14) and Mohammad Hafeez (2-22) and the outstanding hitting of Jamshed, who delivered 55 off 46 balls.

“I am grateful to see the effort put up by the boys today,” said Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez. “It was a big game for us and we needed to be at our best against a side like Australia.”

“Once we got a good total, we knew we will do well because there was going to be help for the bowlers. Raza Hasan was brilliant, a great find for us,” Hafeez added.

“Pakistan outplayed us. The ball turned a lot more than before and they used spin against us very well. “The challenge for us now will be to get the winning form back in the semifinal,” said Australia captain George Bailey.

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