KARACHI Pakistan bounced back into the title race in the eight-nation Champions Challenge Cup hockey in Salta (Argentina) when they scored heart warming 4-1 win over South Africa in last league match of group B to reach the semi-final where they will face India. In the other semi-final, Argentina will face New Zealand. As there is seven hours time gap between Argentina and Pakistan, the semi final against India will be played today (Saturday) at 16.35 (Argentina time) and past midnight Saturday Pakistan time. After 3-1 defeat at the hands of host Argentina in the penultimate group B league, the highest 7th ranked Pakistan could hardly afford any other result but a victory by good margin which they achieved to the relief of millions of fans at home. Pakistan took the lead in 20th minute through a penalty corner goal from Sohail Abbas. However, this advantage was neutralised just two minute from half time when Lloyd Norris Jones with a fine field efforts restored the parity. In was in the second session when Pakistan pumped three past the opponents to reach the last four stage. Shakeel Abbasi with a 49th minute field effort made the score 2-1, young Haseem Khan made it 3-1 in 53rd minute getting a goal during a PC drill and Akhtar Alis 63rd field effort put Pakistans seal on the game. In other last league match, India beat Belgium 4-2 to top the points table in group A and qualify for the semi-final against Pakistan which finished second in group B. Canada surprised host Argentina 3-2. But despite the defeat, Argentina qualified for the semi-final. The fourth semi-finalist of the championship are New Zealand which drew two-all with China. There were high stakes for Pakistan needing a win over South Africa to qualify for the semi-final. Pakistan pushed from the start but the first real chance was at the other end for South Africa with a penalty-corner. Soon after, Haseem Khan received a long pass behind the defense, but could not unleash a shot before the defenders closed him down. Pakistan maintained their pressure and forced a penalty-corner. While everybody was expecting Sohail Abbas to officiate, they tried a combination on the left that they could not conclude. New comer Umar Butta, playing only in his third game for Pakistan, had a golden opportunity alone in front of the goal-keeper, but his strong shot was brilliantly saved by Brendon Botes in the South African goal. South Africa were keeping their composure in defense, even when they were reduced to ten players with a yellow card to Jonathan Robinson and did not leave any time or room to the Pakistani forwards, reduced to try and force penalty-corners. It is finally on their third one that Sohail Abbas managed to slot the ball in the top corner to open the scoring. The onus was now on South Africa to score to maintain their chance to reach the semi-final; they pushed forward as soon as they were back at full strength and immediately forced another penalty-corner, but to no avail. They maintained play in the Pakistani defensive zone and were rewarded just before half-time when Lloyd Norris-Jones received the ball at the top of the circle and crucified Salman Akbar in goal. With the score tied, everything was back to square one in second half. South Africa opted to press high, preventing the Pakistani midfield to launch attacks. They were only creating danger through the long runs of Shakeel Abbasi but his passes were wasted by his team-mates unforced errors. With time passing, play became rougher and both teams were showed yellow cards. It is finally only in the 49th minute that Shakeel Abbasi decided to conclude himself one of his actions to break the deadlock. Haseem Khan added a penalty-corner soon after and things suddenly looked brighter for the greenshirts. After a fourth goal to Pakistan by Akhtar Ali, the deficit was too steep for South Africa to climb back and Pakistan earned their berth in the semi-final on Sunday, albeit with a lackluster performance.