PAKISTAN match-winner Shahid Afridi put in a fine all-round performance to send World Twenty20 favourites crashing out at the semi-final stage after asking captain Younus Khan to put him centre stage at Trent Bridge.

Afridi hit a swashbuckling 51 in 34 deliveries as Pakistan posted 149 for four and then provided the star turn with the ball, returning two for 16 off four overs as the Proteas lost by seven runs.

And Afridi, who has batted as low as six during the competition, admitted he requested a pivotal role from Younus.

‘‘I hoped for a performance like this,’’ he said.

‘‘If you are batting and bowling obviously it’s good.

I am very happy to see my team in the final. I said to him (Younus) – to send me in either at number three or as an opener and he did.”