T-20 World Cup 2010

Holders Pakistan crept into the World Twenty20 semi-finals thanks to a victory over South Africa and England's later win over New Zealand in St Lucia.

Pakistan, after two Super Eight losses, knew they had to beat the Proteas to keep their semi-final hopes alive.

And Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi set up that win with some brutal batting as Pakistan hit 148-7 after a slow start.

South Africa stumbled to 137-7 in reply and that, combined with New Zealand's loss, saw Pakistan into the last four.

Their progress came courtesy of a better net run-rate than South Africa and New Zealand, who both bow out of the competition in the West Indies.

"I guess you run out of excuses, it was just not good enough again," said Smith, whose side have a poor record in major competitions.

"AB (de Villiers, who hit 53) was the only one who really played. That's been the story of our tournament - we have struggled to get it together in all three disciplines.

"You always say you've got to learn your lessons. You have to say, with the talent in South Africa, it's not good enough to perform at this level."

Pakistan captain Afridi was delighted with the way his side fought back after slumping to 18-3 in their innings.

"The boys performed really well," he said. "It was not a good start, but then Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal and myself, those partnerships were good, and 140-150 is a good total on this track.

"I always believe a captain's performance is very important."

South Africa rarely looked capable of overcoming a Pakistan team that recovered impressively from a stuttering start after winning the toss and opting to bat in St Lucia.

Mishit hooks accounted for Salman Butt and Khalid Latif, the latter brought in at the expense of Mohammad Sami, as short deliveries from Dale Steyn and Jacques Kallis were skewed to mid-wicket, while Mohammad Hafeez added just one before missing a straight one from Charl Langeveldt.

At end of the seventh over Pakistan were 23-3 and on course for a paltry total of 66, but Kamran Akmal and brother Umar combined to emphatically expose the Proteas' selection of spinner Roelof van der Merwe ahead of paceman Morne Morkel, their leading wicket-taker in the tournament before play began.