India put a foot in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup following their nervy five-run victory against Bangladesh in a rain-hit Group 2 game in Adelaide.
Virat Kohli
Photo: Santanu Banik, Raghavan Venugopal
Virat Kohli made an unbeaten 64 to maintain his red-hot form and KL Rahul (50) ended his run drought as they fired India to a commanding 184-6 at the Adelaide Oval.
Chasing a revised target of 151 in 16 overs following a rain interruption, Bangladesh looked on course with Litton Das (60) going great guns but his exit unhinged his side who eventually finished on 145-6.
India moved to top of Group 2 with six points, one ahead of South Africa who have played one game fewer.
“Shortened games can go either way… but we held our nerves pretty well when the game started after the break,” India captain Rohit Sharma said.
“Some of the catches we took today under pressure, it was great to watch.”
Earlier, Zimbabwe’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals effectively evaporated following their five-wicket defeat by the Netherlands.
Zimbabwe were all out for 117 in 19.2 with only Sikander Raza (40) and Sean Williams (28) reaching double digits.
Max O’Dowd led Netherlands’ reply with 52 and Tom Cooper made 32 as the Dutch side, who have already crashed out, registered their first Super 12 win with two overs to spare.
South Africa play Pakistan at the SCG today with a win for the Proteas securing their place in the semi-finals.
India has six points, South Africa five, Bangladesh four, Zimbabwe three and Pakistan and the Netherlands two.
South Africa batsman David Miller said they will need to bring their “A-game” when they face 2009 champions Pakistan tonight.
South Africa are in pole position to take one of the two semi-final spots available from Group 2, but Pakistan, who lost to India and Zimbabwe, still have an outside shot of qualifying thanks to a six-wicket win over the Netherlands.
“We all know every game in the World Cup is an important game, and against Pakistan you’ve got to make sure that you’re on your A-game as an opponent,” Miller said.
“… I suppose Pakistan — it’s a must-win game for them, so they’re going to be coming and charging, and we’re definitely prepared for it.”
Pakistan bowler Naseem Shah said their pace attack had to be firing on all cylinders.
“We’re all fast bowlers just trying to bowl our best because when you bowl bad anywhere, when you bowl a bad ball, then you are in a struggle,” Shah said.
Pakistan will likely be without Fakhar Zaman after the batsman aggravated a knee injury that initially ruled him out of the squad.
-Reuters
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