Australia sealed their place in Sunday's final of the 50-over World Cup against India following a nervy three-wicket victory against South Africa in the second semi-final on Thursday.

It probably would not have happened in any case, but even so, India were getting perilously close to winning the hearts of neutrals. Then Goliath did as Goliath does. A superpower superpowered.

"Morkel has resigned as the bowling coach of the Pakistan men's team," said a PCB release. "He was given a six-month contract in June this year."

Dinesh Lad, a former railway worker and cricketer, has helped mould dozens of players during a 30-year coaching career, including Rohit and India team-mate Shardul Thakur.

Bangladesh cricket team returned home yesterday after a disastrous World Cup campaign in India where they were eliminated from the group stage with seven defeats against only two wins. 

Star batsman Virat Kohli on Sunday made an impact with the ball when he claimed his first one-day international wicket in nine years during the World Cup match against the Netherlands at Bengaluru.

India have been unstoppable in the ongoing World Cup, steamrolling almost every side they have come across in the tournament with their skipper Rohit Sharma leading by example as they stayed perfect with nine out of nine wins in the league stage so far.

Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul hit hundreds while India's top-order batsmen all sparkled as the World Cup hosts, already bound for the semi-finals, posted a mammoth 410-4 from 50 overs against the Netherlands in their final group-stage game on Sunday.

“I would say in hindsight, Tamim’s experience at the top would have probably benefited us,” Shrinivas told The Daily Star

The 1992 champions failed to make the semifinals of the show-piece event in India, finishing their campaign with their fifth defeat in nine matches.

An emotional Mitch Marsh revealed his gratitude to Australia team leaders for permitting him compassionate leave during the mega event, allowing him to send off his beloved 'Pop' following his death last week. 

“You can debate whether we have to stick to the rules as they are. Or you have to sometimes give a little leeway for a little bit of spirit of cricket. And there'll be people on both sides of the camp."

Ben Stokes (84), Joe Root (60) and Jonny Bairstow (59) steered them to 337-9 before Pakistan were dismissed for 244 in the 44th over.

"It's always a great honour to score a hundred, but I was pretty cooked to be honest," said Marsh, now batting at number three.

"The two run-outs were crucial," said Shanto, who captained Bangladesh after Shakib Al Hasan's finger injury forced him out of the game. 

New Zealand will face hosts India in the first semi-final in Mumbai on Wednesday with Australia and South Africa clashing in Kolkata 24 hours later.

"I think Liton’s got to battle with himself,” Sriram told The Daily Star before the team’s match against Australia today.

Ben Stokes scored 84 in what is likely to be his last one-day international as England made 337-9 against Pakistan in the World Cup at Kolkata on Saturday.

“The batters failed to convert their starts. That will be the biggest learning that everybody would take out of this World Cup,” Sriram told The Daily Star before the Australia match

Bangladesh managed to post 306 for eight after being sent into bat first.