India face England in the first T20 World Cup semi-final (Pictures: Getty)
The T20 World Cup semi-finals have been confirmed after the last set of group games produced more drama and upsets.
England booked their place in the final four and eliminated defending champions Australia after beating Sri Lanka by four wickets in a nervy clash in Sydney on Saturday.
Jos Buttler’s side finished second in Group 1 with last year’s runners-up New Zealand claiming top spot due to their superior net run-rate.
In Group 2, South Africa knew victory over the Netherlands would have sent them through to the knockout stages and all-but knocked out Pakistan and Bangladesh.
But the Proteas slipped to a 13-run defeat in Adelaide to crash out of the tournament and give Pakistan and Bangladesh the chance to sneak into the semi-finals.
Pakistan’s subsequent game with Bangladesh became practically a quarter-final and Pakistan – who lost their first two games – won by five wickets to move top of Group 2 and into the knockout stages.
Top spot was still up for grabs though as India finished their group stage campaign against Zimbabwe and Rohit Sharma’s side sealed a routine win to overtake arch-rivals Pakistan and top Group 2.
T20 World Cup semi-finals
New Zealand v Pakistan
(Wednesday 9 November, 8am UK time, Sydney)
India v England
(Thursday 10 November, 8am UK time, Adelaide)
T20 World Cup odds
India – 15/8
England – 23/10
Pakistan – 3/1
New Zealand – 3/1
(Odds courtesy of Betfair)
Sunday’s results mean New Zealand face Pakistan and India meet England in the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-finals.
New Zealand’s clash with Pakistan takes place on Wednesday (8am UK time) at the Sydney Cricket Ground, while India face England at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday (8am UK time).
Reacting to South Africa’s hugely disappointing T20 World Cup exit, captain Temba Bavuma said: ‘We played well up until this point in the tournament.
‘Again, we faltered when it really mattered. It will be a hard one to swallow. At the end of the day it just was not good enough.’
MORE : Eoin Morgan praises ‘irreplaceable’ England star ahead of T20 World Cup semi-final
MORE : Jos Buttler breaks England record in T20 World Cup win over New Zealand
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We’re at the business end of the tournament.
