Chasing 261 to book a place in the final, Pakistan were decently placed at 142 for four, with Misbah-ul-Haq and a young Umar Akmal putting together a dangerous partnership. Harbhajan hadn’t looked threatening until then. During a water break, Dhoni suggested that the off-spinner should change his tactics and the advice worked to near-perfection.
With the first ball of his next over, the ‘Turbanator’ knocked over Akmal for 29 off 24 balls. Reliving the incident during an interaction on Star Sports, the 42-year-old said:
Continuing the story, he added:
Harbhajan also went on to dismiss Shahid Afridi for 19 to finish with figures of two for 43. In fact, all Indian bowlers claimed two wickets apiece. Misbah top-scored for Pakistan with 56, but he was the last man out, dismissed by Zaheer Khan.
Sachin Tendulkar top-scored for India in 2011 World Cup semis against Pakistan
India won the toss and decided to bat first in the 2011 semi-final against Pakistan in Mohali. Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar got India off to a terrific start, adding 48 for the first wicket in quick time. The dangerous Sehwag was dismissed for 38 off 25, trapped lbw by Wahab Riaz (5/46).
Tendulkar carried the Indian innings on his shoulders, scoring a defiant 85 off 115 balls with the aid of 11 fours. Suresh Raina also chipped in with a handy cameo of 36* to ensure India ended with a competitive total.
The bowlers then did the rest to ensure India reached the final, where they thumped Sri Lanka by six wickets.
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