Pakistan Vs South Africa World Cup T20 Match Semi Final

The first semi final of the ICC World twenty20 sees unbeaten South Africa take on an inconsistent and mercurial Pakistan at Trent Bridge. South Africa have come through to this semi final stage without too many concerns and are the bookies outright favourites going into the semi finals. Pakistan started badly against England but have played some good cricket since then and deserve their semi final place.

Both sides have plenty of match winners in their ranks. South Africa have 2 of the tournament's leading batsmen in Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers while Roelof van der Merve and Wayne Parnell have taken plenty of wickets between them. Dale Steyn isn't far behind them. Captain Graeme Smith's form has been ok. He's made plenty of starts but as yet hasn't made a really big score. He'll be hoping that comes here.

Pakistan too have match winners in their side. Umar Gul is the leading wicket taker in the tournament while Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal are both having fantastic tournaments with the ball. Skipper Younus Khan is one of the leading run scorers in the competition while wicket keeper Kamran Akmal is in good form too. The big hitting Misbah-ul-Haq and Abdul Razzaq can do plenty of damage and win matches on their own.

Routes to the semi final:

South Africa

Beat Scotland by 130 runs

Beat New Zealand by 1 run

Beat England by 7 wickets

Beat West Indies by 20 runs

Beat India by 12 runs

Pakistan

Lost to England by 48 runs

Beat Netherlands by 82 runs

Lost to Sri Lanka by 19 runs

Beat New Zealand by 6 wickets

Beat Ireland by 39 runs

This promises to be a fantastic semi final. South Africa have been the team to beat all through the competition but Pakistan have shown they can turn anyone over on their day. South Africa are such a consistent side though and I think they'll make the final at the expense of the rejuvenated Pakistani side.