Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi returned career-best figures of 4-22 to lead Pakistan into the Twenty20 World Cup semi-finals with a five-wicket win over Bangladesh in a do-or-die clash yesterday.
Chasing a modest 128 for victory in Adelaide, Pakistan achieved their target with 11 balls to spare and join arch-rivals India in the final four from Group 2.
The clash turned into a virtual quarter-final after the Netherlands stunned South Africa in the opening match of the day, a result which put India into the semis.
New Zealand and England qualified from Group 1.
An India win yesterday against Zimbabwe put them top of Group 2 and tee up a mouthwatering semi-final against England.
Asked if he was looking forward to the semis, Shaheen replied: “Now we are looking forward to the final.”
Pakistan had looked dead and buried after an opening defeat against India and a shock loss to Zimbabwe.
But they roared back to outplay South Africa last week and had a spring in their step after the Proteas suffered a loss earlier yesterday.
Shaheen struck early as the left-arm quick sent back Liton Das for 10 following Bangladesh’s decision to bat first at the Adelaide Oval.
Najmul Hossain Shanto capitalised on a reprieve when the usually safe Shadab Khan dropped the left-handed batsman on 11 at short extra. The opener went on to top-score with 54 for Bangladesh.
Shadab struck twice on successive balls including Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan out lbw, but there was controversy surrounding it.
Shakib reviewed the decision and it appeared from replays that the ball grazed the bat before it hit the pad.
The third umpire upheld the on-field call however and Shakib looked stunned, waved his hands and didn’t want to walk off.
A Shadab hat-trick was averted by Afif Hossain.
Shakib’s wicket seemed to affect the Bangladesh batsmen, who suddenly looked out of sorts and managed a below-par total despite an unbeaten 24 from Afif.
Bangladesh lost regular wickets and Shaheen struck twice in one over and then picked a fourth for the first time in his T20 career.
Mohamed Rizwan, who made 32 after he survived a dropped catch on nought, and Babar Azam, who scored 25, launched the chase in an opening stand of 57 but Pakistan seemed to lose their way in the middle.
Rizwan fell to fast bowler Ebadot Hossain in the next over as Bangladesh looked to fight back and had Mohamed Nawaz run out on four. But Mohamed Haris made 31 and put on partnerships including a 29-run stand with Shan Masood, unbeaten on 24, to guide Pakistan into the semi-finals.
Shanto played down the impact of the Shakib controversy.
“Lot of confusion for everyone, but we were not focusing on that wicket. The idea was to play some good cricket later on,” he said. 
“We did not lose concentration, but yes, we felt that it was not out. The umpires’ decision is final and we can’t do anything about it. But I admit that we could not play well after that in the middle overs.”


‘Best yet to come’
Man-of-the-match Shaheen warned he is still not back to his fearsome best even after leading Pakistan into the Twenty20 World Cup semi-finals.
The 22-year-old missed the recent Asia Cup with a knee injury and is still working his way back to full fitness after being out of action for three months.
“It is not easy to come back from such an injury,” Shaheen said. “I can only give my 100 percent on the field, and I am trying. This injury needed time, I think I came (back) early as it is a World Cup and the team needs me.”
Shaheen struggled for wickets early in the tournament as Pakistan suffered losses to India and then Zimbabwe in Group 2.
But he seemed to have found rhythm in a win over the Netherlands and came into his own with a match-winning 3-14 against South Africa, a victory that revived their campaign.
Pakistan’s last Super 12 match turned out to be a virtual quarter-final after the Netherlands stunned South Africa in the earlier game. Shaheen rose to the challenge after Bangladesh elected to bat first and sent back Liton Das for 10 in the third over. It was his double strike in the 17th over that broke Bangladesh’s back and he took one more to bag four wickets for the first time in T20 internationals. “I am not bowling at 150 kph like Haris (Rauf),” Shaheen said. “Even before I bowled at 135-140 kph. (Earlier) I felt a pinch during run-up but now feeling much better. Staying in the room for two-three months with an injury affects your mind. I believed that I would come back and my efforts would pay dividends.”
It has not been the best of tournaments for star batsman and skipper Babar Azam, who made a laboured 25 off 33 balls after scores of 0, four, four and six. But Shaheen praised the team’s comeback and the captain for his support. “The credit goes to the whole team. We played good cricket. The games we lost were decided on the last ball, but still we played good cricket,” said Shaheen. “We didn’t get the results in our favour but a good team never falls after a loss. The captain plays a big role to lift the team and support us. We are backing each other and as a result we have won here.”


BRIEF SCORES
Pakistan 128 for 5 (Rizwan 32, Haris 31) beat Bangladesh 127 for 8 (Shanto 54, Afridi 4-22, Shadab 2-30) by 5 wickets