Pakistan and Bangladesh ease to group victories

Pakistan secured their place in the World Cup quarter-finals with a seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe.

Paceman Umar Gul led Pakistan’s bowling attack with 3-36 as Zimbabwe could only manage 151-7 in an innings twice affected by rain in Kandy.

Debutant Asad Shafiq – who replaced the injured Umar Akmal – hit an unbeaten 78 off 97 balls, backed by Mohammad Hafeez’s 49, to see Pakistan through with 23 balls to spare.

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Craig Ervine’s 52 off 82 balls provided some respectability to Zimbabwe’s total.

Bangladesh beat Holland by six wickets in Chittagong to stay in contention for a quarter-final place. They are currently fourth in the table – one place above England – and may still need to win their last Group B game against South Africa to confirm a last-eight berth.

The tournament’s co-hosts dominated the contest by dismissing Holland for 160 and then overhauling the total comfortably, thanks to an unbeaten 73 from Imrul Kayes.

England know they must beat the West Indies in their final group game on Thursday if they are to have a chance of progress.