India advance to T20 semi-final as Afghanistan stun West Indies

West Indies progress as group winners despite defeat

Afghanistan’s players celebrate after winning the World T20 cricket tournament match against West Indies at The Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on March 27, 2016. Photograph: AFP/ Punit Paranjpepunit
Afghanistan’s players celebrate after winning the World T20 cricket tournament match against West Indies at The Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on March 27, 2016. Photograph: AFP/ Punit Paranjpepunit

Virat Kohli reduced Australia's bowlers to mere bystanders yesterday with a masterful 82 that led hosts India to a six-wicket win and a World Twenty20 semi-final against the West Indies in Mumbai on Thursday.

The 27-year-old right-handed batsman resurrected India with his unbeaten 51-ball knock from a seemingly tricky position as the hosts sprinted home in their chase of 161 with five balls to spare.

Afghanistan finished their campaign on a high as they stunned Group One winners West Indies by six runs in Nagpur to record their first victory over a Test-playing nation other than Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.

The Windies had won their previous three group matches, and seemed set to maintain their 100 per cent record when the associate minnows were restricted to 123 for seven.

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But the favourites limped to 117 for eight in reply.

Despite defeat, the West Indies progress as group winners thanks to their superior run-rate over England, who will face New Zealand in the last four in Delhi on Wednesday.