An intriguing battle is in the cards when favorite South Africa clashes with buoyant Pakistan in the semifinal of the World Twenty20 here on Thursday. The South Africans have showed their all-round prowess during an unbeaten run in the tournament, including emphatic wins in all three Super Eight games against the West Indies, England and defending champions India. The latest success came at Trent Bridge on Tuesday when the Proteas fought back after being restricted to a modest 130-5 on a slow wicket to keep off-color India down to 118-8. Pakistan bounced back after losing its first Super Eights game to Sri Lanka to defeat New Zealand by six wickets before ensuring its place in the semifinal by packing off minnow Ireland by 38 runs. In the preliminary round, the enigmatic Pakistanis had shown a similar never-say-die attitude by thrashing England-conquerer Netherlands by 82 runs after losing its opening match against the host. “We are slow starters but we never give up,” said Pakistan captain Younis Khan. “If we lose a game we regroup fast and go out and prove ourselves.” Pakistan has been lifted by a sensational display by seamer Umar Gul, who claimed five wickets for six runs against New Zealand at the Oval last Saturday, the first five-wicket haul in Twenty20 internationals. Gul, who was the highest wicket-taker in the inaugural World Twenty20 in South Africa when Pakistan ended as runner-up to India, again tops the list with 12 scalps in this tournament. Graeme Smith's side has the advantage of having played two matches at Trent Bridge during the tournament, while Pakistan's games were all confined to Lord's or Oval in London. “Pakistan are a talented team who will arrive expecting to beat us,” said Smith. “Regardless of who deserves to win going into a semifinal, it's about who plays best on the day. It's a simple matter.” Sri Lanka faces the West Indies in the other semifinal at the Oval on Friday, with the final scheduled to take place at Lord's on Sunday. Tendulkar, Zaheer rested India has named a depleted squad without Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan for the one-day tour of West Indies starting later this month. Batsman Tendulkar has opted out of the four-match series while pace bowler Zaheer, who has been struggling with a shoulder injury, has been rested, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said Wednesday. The squad: MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, Pragyan Ojha, Yusuf Pathan, Murali Vijay, Subramaniam Badrinath, RP Singh, Praveen Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Abhishek Nayar, Ashish Nehra, Ravindra Jadeja, Dinesh Karthik. – AgenciesToday's Match Semifinal 1930 South Africa vs. Pakistan __
