Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi (C) celebrates his wicket of Bangladesh's Taskin Ahmed with teammates during the ICC men's Twenty20 World Cup 2022 cricket match between Pakistan and Bangladesh at Adelaide Oval on November 6, 2022 in Adelaide. (Photo: AFP)

Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi returned career-best figures of 4-22 to lead Pakistan into the Twenty20 World Cup semi-finals with a five-wicket win over Bangladesh in a do-or-die clash on Sunday.

Chasing a modest 128 for victory in Adelaide, Pakistan achieved their target with 11 balls to spare and join arch-rivals India in the final four from Group 2.

The clash turned into a virtual quarter-final after the Netherlands stunned South Africa in the opening match of the day, a result which put India into the semis.

India play Zimbabwe in the last Super 12 match of the tournament in Melbourne later Sunday to decide who plays whom in the last four. New Zealand and England qualified from Group 1.

An India win would put them top of Group 2 and tee up a mouthwatering semi-final against England.

Man-of-the-match Shaheen, who missed the recent Asia Cup with injury, said: "I have improved. Not easy to come back from injury... but I'm trying my best.

"As a team we are very happy. We've played great. Bowl in the right areas and fast was the plan."

Asked if he was looking forward to the semis, he joked: "Now we are looking forward to the final."

Pakistan had looked dead and buried after an opening defeat against India and a shock loss to Zimbabwe.

But they roared back to outplay South Africa last week and had a spring in their step after the South Africa loss earlier Sunday.

Shaheen struck early as the left-arm quick sent back Liton Das for 10 following Bangladesh's decision to bat first at the Adelaide Oval.

Najmul Hossain Shanto capitalised on a reprieve when the usually safe Shadab Khan dropped the left-handed batsman on 11 at short extra. The opener went on to top-score with 54 for Bangladesh.

Shadab struck twice on successive balls including Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan out lbw, but there was controversy surrounding it.

Shakib reviewed the decision and it appeared from replays that the ball grazed the bat before it hit the pad.

The third umpire upheld the on-field call however and Shakib looked stunned, waved his hands and didn't want to walk off.

A Shadab hat-trick was averted by Afif Hossain.