He managed the feat in 11,817 balls beating Pakistan's Waqar Younis (12,602 balls)
cricket3 days ago
Afridi scored 51 from 34 balls in Pakistan’s 149 for four then took two for 16 from his four overs as South Africa struggled to 142 for five.
Pakistan will meet the winners of Friday’s semi-final between Sri Lanka and West Indies (1630GMT) in the final at Lord’s on Sunday (1300).
Afridi, batting at number three, finally recaptured the explosive form which makes him such a threat in one-day cricket.
He took four boundaries off an over from off-spinner Johan Botha, including a wristy glide to third man.
South Africa captain Graeme Smith opted to persevere with spin, tossing the ball to part-time off-spinner JP Duminy.
Afridi tried to crash Duminy’s first ball through the leg-side but managed only to loft it to AB de Villiers at mid-wicket who completed the catch.
After Afridi’s departure, only Shoaib Malik with 34 from 39 made any impact and Pakistan added just 29 from the last five overs with one boundary.
Jacques Kallis anchored the South African reply with 64 from 54 balls including seven fours and a six.
He put on 40 for the first wicket from 5.5 overs with Smith (10) but the introduction of Afridi’s quick leg-spin turned the match around.
Afridi beat the dangerous Herschelle Gibbs (5) with a leg-spinner outside the off-stump then bowled him with a delivery that slipped straight through. He followed up by bowling de Villiers for one.
Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal was also outstanding with one for 23 from four overs and his dismissal of Kallis, caught on the long-on boundary by Shoaib Malik, was the beginning of the end for South Africa.
He managed the feat in 11,817 balls beating Pakistan's Waqar Younis (12,602 balls)
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