Pakistan's captain Mohammad Hafeez (L) watches his bowler Raza Hasan celebrates after taking the wicket of Australia's Shane Watson during their ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup Super Eight match in Colombo Tuesday. — APCOLOMBO - Saeed Ajmal and Raza Hasan spun Pakistan to a 32-run victory against Australia and into the semifinals as India bowed out despite beating South Africa by one run in a gripping final Super Eight Group Two match of the World Twenty20 Tuesday. Despite the defeat, Australia advanced to join Sri Lanka and West Indies in the last four with a superior net run-rate after beating India and South Africa in their earlier Super Eight matches. India's total of 152 for six was not enough because in the 17th over eliminated South Africa passed the target of 121 runs that ensured Australia and Pakistan would move into the last four. Host Sri Lanka will meet Pakistan in the first semifinal in Colombo on Thursday and Australia takes on the West Indies Friday in the same stadium. The final is on Sunday. Off-spinner Ajmal took three wickets for 17 while Man-of-the-Match Hasan picked up two for 14 runs as Australia could only manage 117 for seven in their 20 overs, chasing 150 for victory. Hafeez thanked his bowlers for rising to the occasion after the eight-wicket defeat against arch-rival India Sunday. “Everybody realized that we have to win the game and win with a margin. I am grateful to see the effort of the boys," Hafeez said during the post-match presentation ceremony. “It was terrific by everybody and every bowler did a great job for Pakistan. We wanted our bowlers to do the job and we got the total we really wanted. “Raza Hasan was brilliant tonight. He is a surprise for everyone at the moment." The Australian middle-order struggled once its in-form openers Shane Watson and David Warner were dismissed early. Left-hander Mike Hussey's unbeaten 54 proved crucial as it took Australia past the 112-run mark required by them to advance to the semifinals. Hafeez also picked up two wickets as he used five spinners to complete 18 out of the 20 overs in the Australian innings. Australia captain George Bailey said his team failed the spin test. “Pakistan completely outplayed us tonight. Pakistan took early wickets to put pressure on us and they have some quality spinners," Bailey said after the match. “To this point we have been really consistent so the challenge now will be to get back to that form for the semi-finals." Put into bat, Nasir Jamshed compiled a fine 55 to take Pakistan to 149 for six wickets, despite a fiery spell of fast bowling from left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc, who took three for 20 runs. Kamran Akmal made 32 and added 79 runs for the third wicket with Jamshed to give Pakistan some momentum after a slow start. India scratched its way past 150, boosted by a late burst from Suresh Raina (45) and captain MS Dhoni (23 not out). South Africa lost in-form opener Hashim Amla second ball but thanks to Faf du Plessis's rapid 65 it threatened a first Super Eight victory before falling just short, Zaheer Khan claiming figures of three for 22 for India. Lakshmispathy Balaji was twice hit for six in the final over but he bowled Albie Morkel and his brother Morne to seal victory with one ball to spare. Scores: Pakistan 149-6 (Nasir Jamshed 55, Kamran Akmal 32, Abdul Razzaq 22; Mitchell Starc 3-20) def. Australia 117-7 (Mike Hussey 54 not out; Saeed Ajmal 3-17, Raza Hasan 2-14, Mohammad Hafeez 2-22). India 152-6 (Suresh Raina 45, Rohit Sharma 25, Mahendra Singh Dhoni 23 not out; Robin Peterson 2-25, Morne Morkel 2-28) def. South Africa 151 (Faf du Plessis 65; Zaheer Khan 3-22, Yuvraj Singh 2-23, Lakshmipathy Balaji 3-37). — Agencies
