ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Photos - Semi Final 2

Semi Final 2

India v Pakistan

Yuvraj Gone out bowled in Wahab Riaz Ball

Wahab Riaz is ecstatic after knocking over MS Dhoni

Wahab Riaz claimed his maiden ODI five-for

Contrasting emotions from Shahid Afridi and Harbhajan Singh after the former's dismissal

Shahid Afridi congratulates Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag after the hard-fought game

The celebrations begin after the victory is confirmed

Credible Upholstery

India Enter into World Cup final help of Sachin Tendulkar

India 260 for 9 (Tendulkar 85, Riaz 5-46) beat Pakistan 231 (Misbah 56) by 29 runs.

India reached the final of the Cricket World Cup for the 3rd time after beating severe rivals and neighbors Pakistan by 29 runs in Mohali on Wednesday.

India's dream of a World Cup victory at home is one step closer after their bowlers suffocated Pakistan's batsmen to set up a 29 run victory in the semi-final in Mohali.with the help of Sachin Tendulkar .

Saturday's decider will now be a fight of the hosts, and while Sri Lanka might have been surprised by the strength of India's bowling effort, they would also have taken note of a slightly lacklustre batting performance.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team will play guy co-hosts Sri Lanka in Saturday's final in Mumbai, with both teams seeking to win the 50 over tournament for the second occasion in the first all-Asia title match.

Australia's Fast Bowler Shaun Tait retires from one day cricket

Australia fast bowler Shaun Tait has retired from one day cricket to spotlight on the Twenty20 form of the game.

The 28 years old, part of the Australia side knocked out of the World Cup by India last week, is quitting domestic and international 50 over cricket.

He is going to focus on Twenty20 matches for Australia, South Australian Redbacks, Surrey and the Rajasthan Royals.

He said, this is not a decision I have taken lightly but I believe it is one that will help me prolong my career."
Tait, a fast strike bowler, helped Australia win their third instantly World Cup in 2007 and took 11 wickets in seven matches at this year's tournament.

"In reality, playing all year round for Australia and South Australia is not allowing my body to set up as I would like and I do not want to be required into retirement through career ending injuries," he added.

"Twenty20 cricket allows me to run my body to a level where I feel I can continue to contribute to the game for some moment yet.

My goal was to hopefully help Australia keep the ICC Cricket World Cup. Though, with our involvement now finished I feel it is the perfect time to move on in a new direction."

Tait made his Test debut in the 2005 Ashes series but found the rigours of the five day game too much as a slingy, shoulder heavy, action put great injure on his body.

In 35 one day internationals, he has taken 62 wickets at an average of 23.5, while in 19 Twenty20 games for his country, he has 28 victims at 17.7.

Australia Cricket general manager Michael Brown said: "Shaun has been an important contributor to Australia's short form cricket over the last few years.

Pressure on England and Sri Lanka says, Sangakkara

Colombo, March 25 (AFP): Kumar Sangakkara refuses to believe Sri Lanka will be the only side under pressure before a packed home crowd in their quarter-final on Saturday, saying England will also feel the intensity.

The 1996 winners go into the last of four quarter-finals with huge expectations, but Sangakkara was confident his players were capable of handling the situation.

"What you lose is a semi-final berth, so I don't think any side is going to want to lose that. So wherever you play that incentive is going to be there and all sides feel that pressure equally," said Sangakkara.

"I think it will be there (pressure), but that kind of thinking goes out of the window when you cross the boundary rope. I am sure players will feel the crowd, they'll lift themselves and do well."


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