Pakistan, who did not play a single test in 2008 largely because of security fears from teams reluctant to visit the country, beat Graeme Smith’s team by seven runs at Trent Bridge. South Africa were the tournament favourites, though will again have to face up to losing yet another semifinal.

For Pakistan, Sunday’s final at Lord’s against the winner of Friday’s semifinal between Sri Lanka and West Indies presents an opportunity to bring some much-needed cheer to the country. 

“We know it will give a big lift to everyone back home if we can win this competition,” Younis told reporters. “This World Cup is everything to us.

“We are suffering from everything in Pakistan and everyone knows about all the fighting, a lot of fighting. If we can lift the cup, it will provide great cheer for the people.”

Pakistan’s terrorism issues reached an all-time low in March when the Sri Lanka cricket team bus was fired on by terrorists, resulting in six players being injured. Six policemen and the driver of the match officials’ bus were killed. Pakistan has since lost their status to co-host matches at the 2011 World Cup in Asia.     

Younis and Smith paid special tribute to batsman and leg-spin bowler Shahid Afridi, whose 51 from 34 balls propelled Pakistan to 149 for four. His figures of two for 16 from four overs then made it difficult for South Africa to sustain a successful run chase.

Smith was left to defend the inevitable ‘chokers’ tag that will again be thrown at his team. They were also semifinalists at the 1999 and 2007 50-over World Cups.

“Every time we lose an important game, that word, chokers, is thrown around,” Smith said. “But we have played great cricket and I am proud of the way the guys have performed.

“Afridi was the difference,” he added. “His four overs brought Pakistan back into the game. We lost our way and never got back into it.”