India fail to reach semis despite beating South Africa

E-Paper | April 28, 2026

COLOMBO: India failed to reach the World Twenty20 semi-finals despite beating South Africa by one run in a gripping final Super Eight Group Two match on Tuesday.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.

Hosts Sri Lanka will meet Pakistan in the first semi-final in Colombo on Thursday and Australia take on the West Indies on Friday in the same stadium.

The final is on Sunday.

India scratched their 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 they 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.

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Irfan Pathan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Zaheer Khan, Rohit Sharma, Lakshmipathy Balaji.

South Africa: AB de Villiers (capt), Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, Farhaan Behardien, Johan Botha, JP Duminy, Jacques Kallis, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn.

Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena (SRI) and Rod Tucker (AUS) Tv umpire: Ian Gould (ENG) Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL)

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Hindu

Oct 04, 2012 05:17pm

Huma ma'am India Won the WC by defeating Pakistan..

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Sana

Oct 03, 2012 06:38pm

Agree

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A Khan

Oct 02, 2012 07:47pm

FACT remains that "Indians are going home", rest is history pal.

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(Dr.) B.N. Anand

Oct 03, 2012 08:33pm

It is indeed an irony of the circumstances that India despite a win could not qualify for semifinal while Australia even after losing qualified. But rules are rules, no complaints. However congratulations to Pakistan for qualifying. Cricket is great game of leveler and in the end it is all the way the game of cricket a winner.

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Asif Bhatti

Oct 02, 2012 05:57pm

Yessssssssssssssssssssssssss.

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Imran Quraishi

Oct 02, 2012 08:26pm

Pakistan can give the same look to India as the one given by Yuvraj Singh to Nasir Jamshed. Pakistan is a far superior team than India.

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Gulshan

Oct 02, 2012 08:16pm

Hey man, give the credit where it is due. Pakistan played against Australia like top class team. Don't dilute their achievement.

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saad

Oct 02, 2012 06:24pm

PAKISTAN won again today :)

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Indian

Oct 02, 2012 06:07pm

hey Fen Tian what about your faces when you loose to India.... hahahah remember that or forgotten already

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sharma

Oct 02, 2012 06:16pm

no one loose deliberately in these tournaments, so do not find lame excuses

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anony

Oct 02, 2012 07:37pm

Sore loser, LOL

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Hussain

Oct 02, 2012 06:43pm

Time matters. You will see tournaments happening in Pakistan in few years again. Don't loose heart.

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Gautham

Oct 02, 2012 06:25pm

Hilarious :-) I liked the comment. Cheers!

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Daleep

Oct 02, 2012 06:18pm

Ridicolous-- I wish it would had happened- I still remember Shane Watson hitting all of top indian bowlers all over the ground in super eight match. Dont even think about it that Australia lost deliberately- We had strong bowling attack....

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Daleep

Oct 02, 2012 06:19pm

India please pack your bags, go home and please try to make difference- Noodles khatay hain ya peetay hain..lolx

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RazzakFan

Oct 02, 2012 06:21pm

Razzak's 22 runs makes a difference. Yasir would have put Pak Team in trouble.

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Oct 02, 2012 06:44pm

The spelling is "LOSE" not "Loose"!

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Some Indian

Oct 03, 2012 08:16am

Don't worry buddy we have 2 one day series world cup and 1 20/20 and 2 under twenty world cup to show, now lets count how many do u have????

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saad

Oct 02, 2012 08:16pm

PAKISTAN'S Flag in India's match...must be so irritating for indians isn't it :)

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Dushyant

Oct 02, 2012 06:54pm

Congrats Aussies. Your effort bore fruit today :) And see, India SA going home.

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anony

Oct 02, 2012 07:35pm

you got that right.

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Huma

Oct 03, 2012 07:47am

hahahahaha very right Kashif..

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saad

Oct 02, 2012 08:20pm

after 121 SA was like, ok india you win,we are no more playing this match...:)

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ARSAL

Oct 02, 2012 08:19pm

yes they are our home grounds coz we proud to say they host us like their own ppl. and yes we ppl have a dissapointment for our lost, but do remember, the battle is not over yet.... we will a make a huge come back insallah........ and for the indians fans, ooooo asi JIT GEYAN:):D

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Israr Khan IsmailZai.

Oct 02, 2012 08:20pm

Dont find cheap excuses, try to get into the semi finals next time.

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Israr Khan IsmailZai.

Oct 02, 2012 08:20pm

Sure, the grapes r sour.

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anony

Oct 02, 2012 07:36pm

Wow...what sore loser you are with no sportsmanship, LOL

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Fen Tian

Oct 02, 2012 05:43pm

Somebody should have seen Indian cricketers and their supporters faces while they were close to 121.Seems like they would cry any moment,simply devastated.Good to see India team out of World cup.

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Oct 02, 2012 05:45pm

Australia deliberately threw away their match against Pak to stop India from qualifying for the finals. India, they know, once in the semis would have hit them hard and would have been a tougher team to fight and win against in the finals. Pakistan got into the semis not because it won, it got into the semis because Australia very cleverly chose to lose!

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Fawad Khan

Oct 02, 2012 08:25pm

dil k bahlanay ko ghalib ye khayal acha hai :-D... The best part, even though the ICC and BCCI try so hard to sideline Pakistan from International cricket, still we come out from no where and qualify for the semis in a mega event and actually stand quite a chance of winning the trophy.. I wonder how my Indian friends would put this.. It's good to try and overcome the frustration by finding lame reasons.. hahahaha O wait, are the passengers seated?? Plane's about to take off... comes from colombo airport :-D Good Luck Pakistan !!!

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Shafi

Oct 02, 2012 05:13pm

India out; Thanks BCCI for not allowing IPL.

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Indian

Oct 02, 2012 06:08pm

and people remember if India had made it through how would you greet your own players hahahahahahah

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Amol Choudhary

Oct 03, 2012 07:48am

You can play any team against India in any of the world cup. The result is not going to change. India proved it in 1992, 1996, 2003, twice in 2007, 2011 and now. No matter who wins the cup. We are the most happiest people having defeated Pakistan. In 2011 World cup, there were more celebrations after winning the Semis against Pakistan than after winning the Finals against Srilanka. We didn't even bothered to watch the Finals as for us, we had won the cup after the semi finals itself.

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Ahmed Sultan (India)

Oct 04, 2012 08:39am

Can you please come up with an incident when India used DRS for unfair means. And please stop crying on what India does every time. You may win the world cup but no way u can defeat India. These are just lame excuses. Anyways I hope pakistan wins it will bring some good news for your not so happening country.

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Ashish Mittal

Oct 04, 2012 07:55am

Agreed with Huma. This is the worst moment for Indian Captain but glorious tournament for India. They again beat Pakistan with big margin.

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Some Indian

Oct 03, 2012 08:19am

See when you remind them of the history of world cup no comments, they can enjoy their luck till next match...

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bluegiants

Oct 02, 2012 08:50pm

yes we accept that india didn't reach the semi-finals but it doesn't matter because we maintain 100% winning record against pakis in any worldcup.And if you want to see crying faces then please remember any worldcup match where india beats pakistan terrifically.

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Mr P

Oct 03, 2012 08:42am

112 was required for aus to qualify,, Even Bangladesh wold have qualified had they played against Aus.. This was the same story triseries... in which Aus deliberately losed to Sri Lanka, so that they can again beat them in final...

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Sarah

Oct 03, 2012 02:08pm

Of course when you have DRS system to do you the unfair favors, for once please try to win with the fair umpiring ;D

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Raja Parekh

Oct 03, 2012 07:09am

Australian allowed Pakistan to enter into semifinal by playing mediocre. They have taken smart calculative step to win this cup.

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r.s.soni

Oct 03, 2012 07:05am

congratulations to pak cricket team. well done . keep it up. wish more wins

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Truth

Oct 03, 2012 07:00am

Surprise surprise another pakistani fails a dope Test Mr.Abdul Rehman . Is it really a surprise , no not at all, foul means is a cancerous tumour embedded into Pakistani cricket. Like Nomads they wander the cricketing world , unable to appease their home masses. The true lepers of world cricket.

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Muhammad Asif

Oct 03, 2012 06:55am

don't cry like babies. next time india play aus, ask your team to beat them atleast.

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Muhammad Asif

Oct 03, 2012 06:54am

Our world doesn't end at india. keep it up Pakistan

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SHUNK

Oct 03, 2012 06:50am

Good One :)

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shabreski

Oct 03, 2012 06:38am

believe me....pakistan will humiliate u there as well as it did in their home grounds

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gauhar

Oct 03, 2012 06:37am

whatever the case may be, super eight is now super 4, the rest are losers !!!!

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shabreski

Oct 03, 2012 06:33am

be thankful ajmal didnt perform against u..atleast pakistan left u in a respectable position by allowing u to beat them.........

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shabreski

Oct 03, 2012 06:30am

at least we make to semis of every edition of t20 world cup........look at your boys......i bet ur boys are still busy counting their IPL money even on a world t20 field.

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shabreski

Oct 03, 2012 06:27am

hehehehe.....serves u right.... this shows ur indian players are only happy to play for money and not for pride.... even ur great kapil dev has admitted that IPL has spoiled the indian players

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faze

Oct 03, 2012 06:23am

you must comment

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Asad

Oct 03, 2012 06:21am

Why is there so much hatered by a minority of an intelligent race for Pakistanis? Show the world this is a game of cricket. This is where Pakistan have shown their class and carried themselves with dignity.!

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Nazeer Ahmad

Oct 03, 2012 06:16am

Well done pakistan team a great win against aussies.Ater this win they were deserving for qualifying in semifinal round.Only win against pakistan for india is not enough.Good luck for semi final & final

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Sajan (Dubai)

Oct 03, 2012 05:57am

Indian team wins 4 out of 5 matches. We lost one match that determined our fate in the tournament. Better Luck next time Team India.... We LOVE men in BLUE.

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SJay

Oct 03, 2012 05:45am

Shame on you for almost losing to South Africa. By the way ... Aussies already beat you earlier. So improve your game and stop blaming

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Sikander

Oct 03, 2012 05:45am

Well done Hafiz and all team mates! I must ask you to give a chance to Asad Shafiq by replacing Imran Nazir. You will see the difference. Razzaq must continue batting. Keep spin attack until last moment and you did against Aussies. Keep the pace and we will win it.

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SJay

Oct 03, 2012 05:44am

don't need it ... we can qualify for semis without it. You need it more

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SJay

Oct 03, 2012 05:43am

Wow ... you should come on the media! Your brain works in mysterious ways

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SJay

Oct 03, 2012 05:41am

trying to be funny???

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Ehsan karim

Oct 03, 2012 05:38am

Big heart u have.. Great..

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Azhar (Pakistani)

Oct 03, 2012 05:31am

One can expect from Indians to blame Aussies for losing the match but the ground realty was different. You are speaking Indian mind........Please come out of fantasy world and blame your team. Winning from SA by just one run...Hah hah!..for me it is a total defeat of Inida team. From here you can see the performance of your players. Kuddos to Sri Lanka fans who always fully support Pakistan team. Thanks to Sri Lanka spectators from the bottom of our hearts. Love you Sri Lanka! I wish either Pakistan or Sri Lanka lift trophy in finals.

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rayees

Oct 03, 2012 05:29am

Pakistan destroys the Australians... .pakistan put a brillant show in the field both in batting as well as in bowling , there is a lot of talent in pakistan look at Raza Hasan he is looking awsome player...Pakistan is a favourite for the series, they will Insha Allah come back to the nation as champions. we kashmiri people support the pakistan just they support us ....luv u pakistan ...pakistan paindabad

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Fen Tian

Oct 03, 2012 05:26am

But Team India is out of world cup and Pakistan is above India in both T20 and Test Cricket.India is competing with Bangladesh for lowest rank in T20 cricket.Good luck to losers India for Number 10 slot with Bangladesh

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Azhar

Oct 03, 2012 05:14am

No need to blame Aussies. Pakistan demonstrated their bowling talent which Aussies could not resist and scummed badly to the bowlers tactics and better batting. Better blame Dhoni and his team.

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Ammar

Oct 03, 2012 05:05am

But After all India is OUT...hahahahahahhahahaha

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Pakman

Oct 03, 2012 05:02am

This photo had a very funny caption on facebook: "Kohli ke peechay kya hai, Kohli ke peechay!" LOL!! I do feel bad for India, they played a good tournament. What cost them was the margin of defeat against Australia.

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indoamerican

Oct 03, 2012 05:01am

Indian team has lost the hunger to win matches outside of india in last 2-3 years. The last series they played well was against South Africa in 2010. I've never seen positive attitude from indian team after that. They are winning matches/worldcup in india due to home advandage. It could be because Dhoni and his team has achived everything that they could have though about... money, fame and worldcup.... I'm glad best teams are in semifinal... Good luck to paki team!

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umar

Oct 02, 2012 08:56pm

Away from us.

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Imran

Oct 03, 2012 04:37am

In spite of your all the conspiracies, we the Pakistanis have proved, we are the best. Performance speaks out not the words. And I can clearly smell the smoke of jealousy arising. Welcome your team on the airport!

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Faran Ali

Oct 03, 2012 04:36am

yeh cheez :) Pakistan Zindabad :)

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Pakistani, friend of Indians

Oct 03, 2012 04:30am

Well said my friend. Let

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RAJA

Oct 02, 2012 07:44pm

I'm Indian fan, but I still think Pak is better team to beat/compete in semis, Indian batting was so pathetic, sharma played like it was One day match, wasted the whole over, and I think it was probably the first maiden over in t20.

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India ka baap - Pakistan

Oct 03, 2012 04:08am

Interesting comments!!! I love the fact that India is out of the tournament, in-spite of having the big guns and a renowned IPL league, they still couldn't make it! hahahahahahaha, well i think these players are just good to perform at a local IPL level. Bye Bye India!!!!! *waving handkerchief*

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Ashutosh(India)

Oct 03, 2012 03:55am

Better team moved to Semis, thats it. No further arguments. Congratulations Pakistan, you played really well. Even after such a big defeat from India, you collected your self and delivered on occasion. On other hand India was average, lost to Oz with big margin, didn't play with Pakistan keeping NRR in mind while chasing a low target(management team error, may be not dhoni and team, but analyst should know that they need to get 9 or 10 runs per over to go past Pakistan NRR) and finally, an average team selection(only 1 specialist spinner) and play against SA. Yes, we won against Pak/SA, but we didnt play like we have analyzed and targeting Semi, where as Pakistan was well targeted and focused. Hartley congrats to the team who is denied a long period of international cricket at home, faced big defeat just before the match with group leader and out performed two teams in one game (i.e Australia and India both :-) ). Good Luck for the Semis and may be Final as well.

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Karthik

Oct 03, 2012 03:52am

Pakistan deserve to be in Semi-finals. They comprehensively beat Australia and right now, seem the only team apart from Sri Lanka capable of beating Aussies. India played well, but all their wins were too close. Against Pakistan, they took too many overs to overcome a modest total of 128 and against SA, just won by 1 run. Their bad loss against Aussies has come to haunt them. Lesson learnt is going forward, if you beat someone, beat them comprehensively, as NRRs have started playing more than an ordinary role when it comes to elimination.

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Faraz

Oct 03, 2012 03:52am

Faraz Please guys - Let us not put each other down - It is high time we should bury the past and sincerely be for each other. Ameen

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pakone

Oct 03, 2012 03:45am

Forgot to add, even our women t20 team beat you in this world cup - hahahahahaaha - can't stop laughing!

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pakone

Oct 03, 2012 03:44am

HAHAHA - love the indian comments here. Don't gloat over winning one match against Pak. We killed you less than 2 weeks before that in the first match- as we all know there is no such thing as a "warm up" match between India and Pak. boo hoo. We won one and you won one. We are the ONLY T20 team to qualify for the semis in EVERY world T20! Enjoy the ride back home Dhoni. Yeh T20 hai, tameez say khaila jaata hay aur TAMEEZ say dekha jaata hay. HAHAHAHAHA...

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anony

Oct 02, 2012 07:38pm

Some people just can't take defeat, LOL

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shah

Oct 03, 2012 03:38am

I feel sorry to India..They played well they won but still, But i love the way they are kicked out of the tournament.Pakistan Zindabad

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anony

Oct 02, 2012 07:39pm

Yep

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Sada-e-hind

Oct 03, 2012 01:37am

Shame on aussies for losing so heavily to pakistan. Had they lost narrowly, india would have made it to semis. Everyone is jealous of our ipl. Never allow pak players in ipl and damn to big bash league. Amen

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YAI

Oct 03, 2012 01:30am

No one really cares even if you had one!

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YAI

Oct 03, 2012 01:30am

Now that is an interesting angle. So every failure is really a conspiracy!

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YAI

Oct 03, 2012 01:27am

I am sure you are truly experiencing that exact feeling right now.

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YAI

Oct 03, 2012 01:26am

Doesn't matter where you play, a "Win" still comes home!

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YAI

Oct 03, 2012 01:21am

I would love to see Pakistan win the tournament. The cup would still remain in the subcontinent. Unless you have forgotten your geography?

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sunny

Oct 03, 2012 12:54am

Pakistan played with intent today though Australia was a bit too defensive. Dhoni has made many mistakes in the tournament. Today he should have gone for the big win or loss -- not just any win. He should have taken Harbhajan and fielding should have been more attacking. Our top order -- Gautam and Veeru -- is a liability, more so than our bowling. We have bowled out four teams in this T20, yes T20, tournament. That said, you always need a slice of luck when you have a tournament of equally strong teams. In the one-day world cup, Pakistan dropped so many catches of Tendulkar.

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Huma

Oct 03, 2012 07:41am

This is the Worst Moment for Indian Captain........:) Well played Pakistan

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sanjay

Oct 02, 2012 11:43pm

becouse you know pak team can' t beat india either chief ajmal look ordinary against india you have't open acount against india

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ASIF

Oct 02, 2012 11:39pm

NO AUSTRALIA, INDIA, NEW ZEALAND, AFGHANISTAN, BANGLADESH, SRI LANKA, SOUTH AFRICA, ZIMBABWE, ENGLAND WILL COME TO PAKISTAN TO PLAY CRICKET.

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Zain Sha

Oct 02, 2012 11:30pm

dil kay khush rakhnay ko Ghalib yeh khayal achha hai...

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Django

Oct 02, 2012 11:27pm

@indian: to refresh your memory kindly google overall cricket rivalry between Pakistan and india.... for your kind information, Pakistan is leading in every format except T20...

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umar

Oct 02, 2012 08:59pm

No matter what india is out.

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Silajit

Oct 02, 2012 06:31pm

Congratulations to Pakistan for making it into the semis by beating Australia. Credit must be given where due. Having said that, Australia

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Fen Tian

Oct 02, 2012 07:10pm

Hurrah Pakistan cricket team won today against mighty Australians.

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umar

Oct 02, 2012 09:08pm

Agree.

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chris

Oct 03, 2012 07:35am

Austarlia lost deliberately to keep India out Pakistan never won against India in any world cup match ever

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Sana

Oct 02, 2012 07:59pm

Grow up Pakistani and Indian fans. It's a shame to read these comments.

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Aziz

Oct 02, 2012 09:17pm

Paradox of modern cricket! Australia won by losing and India lost by winning. I think the system was cunningly devised by a banker with the notorious 'sub-prime' portfolio management background.

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Amit

Oct 02, 2012 05:48pm

Still Pakistan Lost to India, so dont know whether you should be proud or disheartened. Anyways All the best to Pakistan Team. They are playing well in this Tournament. I would love if they or Sri Lanka wins the world cup. Let the cup always remain in the sub-continent.

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Amit-Atlanta-USA

Oct 02, 2012 06:13pm

No comments!

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Abdullah Hussain

Oct 02, 2012 09:17pm

Team India is a formidable batting side, It has to seriously work to improve its bowling to contain the opponent. Pakistan needs to work hard to improve its batting strength. India played good but beating a team that has nothing to lose is always difficult because that team play tension free.

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Sarah

Oct 02, 2012 07:09pm

I agree, Razzaq and fair umpiring would have made difference in match against India too. Hope Hafeez does not leave him out in the next one.

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Oct 02, 2012 06:42pm

Shame, indeed!

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Satya Issar

Oct 02, 2012 06:14pm

India will meet South Africa at Colombo airport and also England Australia and most other teams at various airports home and away and play cricket. Who will visit Pakistan to play cricket? They will go to Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi and call it their home grounds. Shame.

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Daleep

Oct 02, 2012 06:14pm

India should learn that they cant win the tornaments by just beating Pakistan.... Pakistan always helped them to go through due to some (untold) powers but they should admit that those powers- mysterious power- (i will say) dont work.......

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Indian

Oct 02, 2012 06:06pm

hey kashifff no problem we have sent you to the airport many times that too when we beat you in quarterfinal 2003, semi final in 2011 and final 2007 haha at least we beat Pakistan

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Indian

Oct 02, 2012 06:04pm

India out only because of run rate remember that man Kohli you would not able to get him out many times...haha and secondly make your own PPL and play there you get frustrated because every one is making money in IPL and you cant....haha cant make your own PPL

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Kashif

Oct 02, 2012 05:09pm

Pakistan will me Sri Lanka in Semi Final and..............................South Africa will meet india again at ......................................................Colombo airport...............yeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaa

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