Windies storm into semifinal eliminating Pakistan

 

West Indies swept into the semifinal of the ICC World Twenty20 eliminating unpredictable Pakistan by 84 runs in a must-win last Group 2 match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium here on Tuesday.

 

The Caribbean team will play Group I champions Sri Lanka in the first semifinal on Thursday at 7 pm at the same venue while Group 2 champions India will meet South Africa in another semis on Friday at the time and venue.

 

Replying to West Indies fighting total of 166 for 6, Pakistan, the champions of 2nd edition of World Twenty20 in England, were bowled out cheaply for 82 runs in 17.5 overs to make an early exist from the ICC global meet for the first before reaching the semifinals.

 

Pakistan made a disastrous start losing four quick wickets for only 13 runs in 5.3 overs and never recovered their early lapses to concede an embarrassing defeat.

 

Only four Pakistani batsmen — skipper Mohammad Hafeez (19), Sohaib Maqsood (18), Shahid Afridi (18) and Sohail Tanvin (14) had been able to make the double digit runs.

 

Pakistani most defendable opening batsman Ahmed Shahzad back to the pavilion with a golden duck in very first ball of the match, another opener Kamran Akmal followed him in the 3rd ball of the 2nd over, also with a duck.

 

Umal Akmal (1) and Shoaib Malik (2) fell victim to Samuel Badree in the 6th overs to restrict Pakistan at 13 for 4 in 5.3 overs.

Samuel Badree and Sunil Narine bowled devastatingly to grab three wickets each conceding 10 and 16 runs respectively in their four-over spell while Krishmar Santokie and Andre Russell took two wickets each for 9 and 15 runs respectively.

 

Earlier, a 71-run 6th wicket partnership by Dwayne Bravo and skipper Darren Sammy helped West Indies pile up a fighting total of 166 runs for 6 in quota 20 overs.

 

Dwayne Bravo, who quick-fired 46 runs off just 26 balls featuring two fours and four sixes, was adjudged man of the match.

 

Darren Sammy quick-fired unbeaten 42 runs off 20 balls with five boundaries and two over boundaries.

 

Batting first after winning the toss, West Indies lost their two top order batsmen Dwayne Smith (8) and experienced Chris Gayle (5) when the scoreboard was showing 22 for 2 in 3.5 overs.

 

Lendl Simmons made 31 runs off 29 balls with two fours and two sixes while Marlon Samuels made 20 runs off 18 balls with a four and a six.

 

Mohammad Hafeez, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir and Zulfiqar Babar took one wicket each conceding 15, 23, 27 and 27 runs respectively.

Source: UNB Connect