DHAKA, March 23: Pakistan squad shrugged off a pre-tournament corruption crisis and transformed into a leading World Cup contender after thrashing West Indies by 10 wickets on Wednesday to reach the semifinals. Three key players were banned last month in a spot-fixing scandal that had hung over the squad for six months, yet it only seems to have galvanised Pakistan under skipper Shahid Afridi and coach Waqar Younis.

Afridi took 4-30 to help skittle West Indies for 112. Mohammad Hafeez chipped in with two wickets, then scored an unbeaten 61 in a 113-run opening stand with Kamran Akmal (47) as Pakistan coasted to victory with almost 30 overs to spare at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.—AP