Sri Lanka to play in ICC T20 final 2012

Sri Lanka in final against Australia or West Indies. Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 16 runs.Veteran spinner Rangana Herath grabbed 3-25 to lift hosts Sri Lanka into the World Twenty20 final with a 16-run victory over Pakistan in Colombo on Thursday. 

Sri Lanka, restricted to 139-4 after electing to bat, hit back to keep Pakistan down to 123-7 in a thrilling semifinal before 35,000 screaming fans at the Premadasa Stadium. Herath, the 34-year-old left-arm spinner playing only his sixth T20 international, was supported by two wickets each from seamer Angelo Mathews and unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis. 

It was Sri Lanka's second appearance in the World Twenty20 final, having lost to Pakistan in the 2009 title clash at Lord's. It was also the first time in four editions of the tournament that began in 2007 that a host country had made it past the semifinal round.

Rival captains Mahela Jayawardene and Mohammad Hafeez top-scored for their teams with 42 each, but the other batsmen struggled to force the pace on a sluggish pitch that hampered stroke-making.

Sri Lanka wasted a sound start to plod to 123-4 in 19 overs, before Thisara Perera smashed three boundaries in the final over of seamer Umar Gul, which realised 16 runs. 

Pakistan's openers Hafeez and Imran Nazir began the reply on a confident note, putting on 31 for the first wicket in six overs. Mendis, brought on to send down the sixth over, broke the stand with the last delivery by bowling Nazir for 20. 

Pakistan moved to 55-1 in the ninth over when Mathews grabbed two wickets in four balls to swing the match Sri Lanka's way. Mathews first had Nasir Jamshed leg-before -- an unfortunate dismissal for the batsman since replays showed the ball pitch outside the leg-stump -- before getting Kamran Akmal caught at mid-wicket.

In the next over, Herath bowled new batsman Shoaib Malik for six to leave Pakistan tottering at 64-4 in 11 overs. Hafeez, dropped by Lasith Malinga on 24, added 18 more runs when he was stumped off Herath, who then bowled Shahid Afridi first ball. 

Earlier, Sri Lankan openers Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan put on 63 in 10 overs, a slow start by Twenty20 standards but crucial nevertheless with their team having all their wickets in hand. Jayawardene liberally employed the reverse sweep during his knock of 42 off 36 balls, but was caught at fine-leg while attempting the same shot off Afridi. 

Kumar Sangakkara made a promising 18 from 11 balls when he was snapped up on the long-on fence as he tried to hit Hafeez out of the ground. Gul was unlucky to see the TV umpire declare a no-ball after he had Jeevan Mendis given out leg-before in the 18th over. 

But Gul removed Dilshan two balls later with another leg-before decision that made Sri Lanka 117-3. Dilshan was unusually subdued during his innings, taking 43 balls to score 35 with the help of three boundaries. Australia and the West Indies will clash in the second semifinal today. The final is scheduled for Sunday.

Sri Lanka scores 139 in T20 Semi Final

Sri Lanka were 139 for 4  in 20 overs against Pakistan in the first semifinal of the World Twenty20 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Thursday.
Captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and decided to bat. Pakistan have dropped Abdul Razzaq and drafted in Sohail Tanvir. Sri Lanka have left out Akila Dananjaya in favour of Rangana Herath.

T20 Semi without India

India could not keep its position in the ICC World Twenty20 Championship.The 1st Champion of the ICC World Twenty20, India failed to overcome the Super Eight stage of the tournament.

Out of total four times, they were knocked out three times from the Super Eight phase. They tried the best and also won the match against South Africa. It was their challenge to restrict SA in 121 to reach in the Semi obstructing Pakistan.

However, this challenging target was not possible for them. SA bat opening their hands and crossed the Indian need even when more than 20 balls remain. They also run ahead of India some time at the ending. SA scored 151 losing all their wickets and India won the match by 1 run only.

This victory of India could not lead them to Semi to be held on Thursday, the 4th October 2012. Indian Peoples with millions of fans have become disheartened from this premature adieu of India.

Besides, Pakistani supporters became very happy due to their entrance in Semi when India is dropped.                      

Pakistan defeats Aussies by 33

Australia scored 117 for 7 in their 20 overs, falling 33 runs short of their winning target against Pakistan in the Super Eight stage match on Tuesday. 

Despite the result, Australia ensured their spot in the semis by scoring the 112 runs required for it, with Michael Hussey (54 off 47 balls) being the lone warrior for his side at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. 

Saeed Ajmal went through the defences of Mathew Wade (13), moments before trapping Pat Cummins (0) leg before to end with figures of 3 for 17. 

Cameron White (12) was sent packing by Mohammad Hafeez for a catch to Imran Nazir, while Glenn Maxwell was dismissed moments later to leave them reeling at 65 for 5. 

Aussie openers, Shane Watson (8) and David Warner (8), were both trapped leg before by Hasan Raza and Hafeez respectively early in their chase. Skipper George Bailey (15) was taken out by Ajmal in the same fashion. 

Ajmal bagged three wickets, while Hafeez and Raza took two wickets each. 

The result also dismissed South Africa's chances to progress in the tournament. 

To deny Pakistan their place, India will need to beat the South Africans by a huge margin to boost their Net Run Rate past their arch-rivals. 

Earlier, Pakistan put up 149 for 6 in their 20 overs. 

Umar Akmal (9) and Shoaib Malik (4) saw the team through to the total. 

Shahid Afridi (4) was dismissed clean bowled off Mitchell Starc while, Abdur Razzak (27) mistimed a Pat Cummins delivery for an easy catch to Shane Watson at backward point. 

Back to back wickets saw Kamran Akmal (32) and Nasir Jamshed (55 off 46) back to the pavilion. Akmal went back for a catch to Cameron White at extra cover off Stark, while Akmal was taken out by Xavier Doherty for a catch to David Warner at long on. 

The third wicket stand between Nasir and Kamran Akmal was worth 79 runs. Jamshed whacked four boundaries and two sixes. 

Opener Mohammed Hafeez (4) was trapped in front of the stumps by Starc, while the other opener Imran Nazir (14) was taken out by a Watson full toss for a catch to George Bailey at mid-off. 

Stark claimed three wickets while Doherty, Watson and Cummins bagged a wicket each.