UPDATED 30/3/2011 6:01:55 PM
Vivek/vikas
Mohali: India beat Pakistan by 29 runs in the second semifinal of the World Cup here on Wednesday. Now, they would meet Sri-Lanka in the final on March 2.
Earlier,India posted 260 for the loss of nine wickets against Pakistan in the high-voltage semi-final clash here on Wednesday. Indian batsmen failed to make their presence felt. With the exit of Sachin Tendulkar (85), who was out caught by Afridi at cover off an Ajmal delivery, it wont be easy as Pakistani bowlers have steadily clawed back into the game.
After breaking Gambhir-Sachin partnership, which was shaping up nicely for India, Pakistan hit back with the quick dismissals of Yuvraj (0) and Kohli (9). Wahab is emerging a hero for the Pakistan team by picking three crucial wickets.
He first got out the danger man Sehwag who gave India a flying start by smashing five boundaries in the third over. With Sehwag`s fall the momentum dipped and after losing quick wickets, the official favourites are now batting on to prevent yet another middle order collapse, with an edgy Dhoni and Sachin at the crease.
Sachin scored his 95th ODI half-century off 67 balls when he hit a boundary off Afridi’s ball through extra cover. With eight boundaries in his innings, the Little Master and Gambhir were looking good till Hafeez stepped in to spoil the party.
Mohammad Hafeez provided Pakistan the second breakthrough when he deceived Gambhir in flight and got him stumped for 27 runs at the second semi final of the world cup at Mohali on Wednesday. Wahab struck again in successive deliveries to get Kohli caught at backward point and clean bowl Yuvraj with a swing.
Indian captain Mahendra Singh won the toss and opted to bat. India made one change to the team that won against Australia, seamer Ashish Nehra coming in place of Ravichandran Ashwin. Pakistan fielded an unchanged team that beat the West Indies in the quarterfinals.
Courtesy:News24
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