Afridi stars as Pakistan reach final

12 April 2012

Shahid Afridi's fine all-round performance clinched Pakistan's place in their second successive ICC World Twenty20 final at the expense of South Africa at Trent Bridge.

Pakistan skipper Younus Khan had elected to bat and it was Afridi who gave their innings impetus with a 32-ball half century containing eight boundaries. He shared in a third wicket stand of 67 in 10 overs with a more circumspect Shoaib Malik (34) but the last five overs only realised 29 runs in a total of 149 for four.

Then Afridi shone with the ball, dismissing Herschelle Gibbs and AB De Villiers and conceding only 16 runs in his four overs, as the Proteas were beaten by seven runs.

Jacques Kallis made a half-century off 46 deliveries with seven fours for South Africa but they gradually fell behind the required run-rate and his dismissal for 64 in the 18th over ended their already fading hopes.

It was the first defeat of the tournament for Graeme Smith's side, whose fielding display was below previous standards, as they closed on 142 for five.

Pakistan will play the winners of the second semi-final between Sri Lanka and West Indies in Sunday's final at Lord's.

They will be looking to go one better than in 2007 when they lost the final to India in South Africa.

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