England, Sri Lanka face off in semifinal

Last year’s beaten finalist Sri Lanka and England will face off in the first men’s semifinal of the International Cricket Council 20/20 World Cup today at the Beausejour Cricket Ground in St Lucia.



The match is scheduled to begin at 11.30 a.m. local time.



England, one of two unbeaten sides of the Super Eights, have never won a World Cup under any format and will be hoping to reach the Final on Sunday at Bridgetown to hunt their first win.



Paul Collingwood’s side has played confidently, and its only defeat came in a badly weather-affected match against hosts West Indies, in which they looked set to win.



Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have lifted a World Cup previously, but they were the runners-up in last year’s 20/20 World Cup in England.



Their chances this year had appeared slim, following an 81-run defeat to Australia in their previous Super Eight match, but their victory over India on Wednesday, and West Indies’ capitulation to the Aussies in the final Super Eight match, opened the door for Kumar Sangakkara and his men.



Australia will face holders Pakistan in the second men’s semi-final, also in St Lucia, tomorrow.



Meanwhile, Australia Women and India Women will contest the first semi-final of the Women’s 20/20 World Cup, which also takes place today at the Beausejour Cricket Ground. The match is slated to start this afternoon at 4 o’clock local time.



West Indies Women will clash with New Zealand Women in the second semi-final slated for tomorrow.