India kept their unbeaten World Cup record against Pakistan intact as they beat the arch rivals by 29 runs in the second semifinal here on Wednesday.
Harbhajan Singh gave India the much-needed wicket of Umar Akmal when he ended the youngster's 29-run cameo by bowling him off the first ball after the drinks break in the second semifinal of the World Cup here on Saturday.
MS Dhoni's tactic to chop and change his bowlers worked to India's advantage when the left-arme struck a double blow to first castle Asad Shafiq and then invited a mistimed drive from Younis Khan to put India on top in the second semifinal of the World Cup here on Saturday.
Some tight overs by Indian bowlers led to the wicket of Pakistan opener Mohammad Hafeez who played a loose shot to give Munaf Patel his first wicket of the innings in the second semifinal of the World Cup here on Saturday.
Pakistan openers got their team off to a comfortable start of 44 runs but Zaheer Khan struck just just when India needed him to, when he removed Kamran Akmal in the second semifinal of the World Cup here on Saturday.
Earlier, Pakistan openers Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez looked in no trouble whatsoever as MS Dhoni chose to open the bowling with Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra to defend a competitive 260.
Wahab Riaz returned for his final spell of the innings and struck right away to take his fourth and the Indian innings' sixth wicket to put his team on top in the World Cup semifinal here on Wednesday.
Sachin Tendulkar's perhaps most charmed innings in one-day internationals was ended by Saeed Ajmal who had the Indian maestro caught in the covers to give Pakistan an upper hand as the Inidian innings entered the last 10 overs in the World Cup semifinal here on Wednesday.
Wahab Riaz broke the back of Indian middle order when he sent back Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh off successive deliveries to bring Pakistan right back in the World Cup semifinal here on Wednesday.
Earlier, Sehwag got India off to a rampant start against Pakistan as he hit Umar Gul for five boundaries in the pacer's second over and also brought up his 1000 runs against Pakistan.
Sachin Tendulkar survived two close calls off consecutive Saeed Ajmal deliveries as the DRS and third-umpire came to India's rescue to give Tendulkar not out on lbw and stumping appeals respectively here in the World Cup semifinal on Wednesday.
Earlier, Sehwag got India off to a rampant start against Pakistan as he hit Umar Gul for five boundaries in the pacer's second over and also brought up his 1000 runs against Pakistan.
But Shahid Afridi's decision to bring on left-armer Wahab Riaz into the attack brought immediate result as the quickie took out a dangerous Sehwag after the Indian opener had made a brisk 38 runs of 25 balls.
Sehwag immediately called for a review of Simon Taufel's decision, but it remained unsuccessful.
On the other end, Sachin looked pretty assured and took India to 73/1 in 10 overs, after which two deliveries stopped India's heart.
Earlier, the most awaited match of the 2011 World Cup got underway here in the northern Indian city of Mohali with a loud cheer receving the two captains for the toss that MS Dhoni won and decided to bat.
Pakistan Playing XI: Mohammad Hafeez, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Misbah-ul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq, Saeed Ajmal, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul
