INDIA v SOUTH AFRICA

At Sharjah, April 17. South Africa won by five wickets. Toss: India.

South Africa secured their fourth straight win while India preserved their run-rate advantage over Pakistan to reach the final. Even that modest objective was in doubt after a splendid opening spell by De Villiers. He took two for 11 in seven overs, and fooled Tendulkar for the second time in four days with a slower delivery. Adams then sowed confusion with his unorthodox left-arm spin. Rathore batted soundly and Jadeja brightly, but 215 was unlikely to be enough. Though South Africa's batting was not their most convincing, a solid 64 from Cullinan and a maiden international fifty by Crookes saw them home.

Man of the Match: P. R. Adams.