Sydney, Apr 2 - Defending champions West Indies have charged ahead into the semi-finals of the World Twenty20 on Tuesday with an impressive 84-run win over Pakistan in their 'must-win' Super-10 match in Dhaka.

The West Indies, who finished second behind unbeaten India in Group 2, will clash with Group 1 champions Sri Lanka in the first semi-final in Dhaka on Thursday, while India will meet South Africa at the same venue on Friday.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Caribbean side recovered from a top-order meltdown to post 6-166 after electing to bat first, before three wickets each by spinners Samuel Badree and Sunil Narine skittled Pakistan for 82 in 17.5 overs.

The report mentioned that West Indies captain Darren Sammy (42 not out) and Dwayne Bravo (46) led a dramatic rescue act by adding 71 for the sixth wicket off just 32 balls and the team plundered 71 runs in the last four overs, taking 21 runs in the 18th bowled by seamer Umar Gul and 24 in the 19th by off-spinner Saeed Ajmal.

It is the first time Pakistan, finalists in the inaugural World T20 in 2007 and champions in 2009, failed to reach the knock-out rounds in the five editions of the tournament, the report added. (ANI)