India held on to beat England by seven runs in a dramatic T20 World Cup semi-final in Mumbai on Thursday, despite Jacob Bethell’s brilliant 105.
After Sanju Samson’s 89 sparkled, setting up India to set a huge 253-7 down the numbers, England fell short in what would have been a record chase on finishing at 246-7.
Phil Salt (5), Harry Brook (7) and Jos Buttler (25) had perished early but Bethell, alongside Will Jacks (35), did much to keep England interested.
The left-handed batter slammed seven sixes and eight fours in his 48-ball blitz until he was run out in the last over, which finally allowed India to rejoice at home in front of a roaring crowd of 35,000 fans at Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium.
India will meet New Zealand in Sunday’s final in Ahmedabad as they seek to become the first team to hold onto the trophy and the first to lift it on home turf.
A Babar Azam-inspired Pakistan earlier flayed England’s attack to all parts of the ground with 19 sixes and 18 fours after being asked to bat by Brook.
Samson announced his intentions with a four and six off Jofra Archer’s first over but survived on 15 when Brook shelled a straightforward chance at mid-off off Archer.
It was an expensive error as, aided by some loose bowling, Samson reached his half-century in 26 balls with another big six and Liam Dawson’s first over went for 19.
Kishan added 97 from 48 deliveries with Samson for the second wicket before the left-hander holed out to Jacks off Adil Rashid in the 10th over at 117-2.
Samson kept going until Jacks had him caught by Salt in the deep partway through the 14th over, at which stage India were 160-3.
Dube kept up the assault, scoring 43 from 25 balls with four sixes before he was run out by Brook’s direct hit.
Later on, Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma added 27 not out off 12 balls and 21 off seven respectively to take India past the 250-run mark.
Jacks was the pick of the England bowlers with 2-40 but a wayward Archer was plundered, going for 1-61 off his four overs.