Bangladesh continue impressive showing

Bangladesh stormed to their second successive win edging out Australia by 20 runs at Elmwood Park. Batting first, Bangladesh were strengthened by the second-wicket stand of 84 between Anamul Haque (58) and Saikat Ali (61). But even as Australia picked up regular wickets, captain Mahmudul Hasan's quick unbeaten 75 pushed them to 230 for 7. Legspinner Shabbir Rahman had the Australians struggling during their reply, with 4 for 34. A rescue act from Jason Floros (46) and Tim Armstrong (41) followed, but they were eventually bowled out in the 39th over.

An all-round effort from Zimbabwe ensured a four-wicket win against Afghanistan at Lincoln No 3. Put in, Afghanistan could only manage 175, with Hashmatullah Shaidi top scoring with 50. Peter Moor anchored the reply well with 45, and with crucial thirties from Andrew Lindsay and Dylon Higgins, Zimbabwe clinched victory in the 41st over.

Confident forties from Mark Chapman and Ashish Gadhia handed Hong Kong a four-wicket win against Canada in Rangiora. Choosing to bat, Canada were led by captain Rustam Bhatti's fluent 64. But apart from Nitish Kumar (52), none of the batsmen could manage impressive scores, which resulted in them being bowled out for 189 with 10 overs to go. A string of twenties in the top order did not help Hong Kong's reply. But the 86-run stand for the sixth wicket between Chapman and Gadhia ensured it was a canter in the end.

Outdone by Bangladesh earlier, New Zealand managed a confidence-boosting win against England at the St Andrew's College Ground. The bowlers justified captain Craig Cachopa's decision to field first, as they dismissed England for 156. Though the hosts lost their openers early during the reply, Jimmy Neesham's near run-a-ball 52 put them on course for victory, which arrived in the 31st over.

"We are just trying to get the pegs in the right holes at the moment and I think we are getting there," said New Zealand coach Chris Kuggeleijn. "We certainly bowled and fielded much better today than yesterday. There was an intensity and smarts there that we lacked against Bangladesh."

Defending champions India were trumped by subcontinental neighbours Sri Lanka at Christ's College. The match was reduced to a 26-over affair and Sri Lanka did well to reach 163 for 9, even as Saurabh Netravalkar and Jaidev Unadkat shared five wickets between them. An opening stand of 56 during the chase looked to have given India the upper hand but the Sri Lankan bowlers fought back well to keep India to 156 for 6.

West Indies managed a narrow four-run win against Ireland at the Hagley Oval after a demoralising defeat against Australia earlier. West Indies were buoyed by four 30-plus scores to reach 187 for 9 in the 42-over affair. James Shannon shone once again for Ireland with the bat, hitting eight fours en route to 83. But Jomel Warrican's 3 for 33 swung the game West indies' way, and Ireland surrendered with three balls to go.

South Africa enjoyed their second success on the trot beating Pakistan by 10 runs at Rewood Park. Colin Ackermann (40) gave South Africa some early impetus batting first along with Cody Chetty, who smashed 56 off 51 balls, including four boundaries and a six. David White chipped in with a fiery 32 lower down the order. Needing 181 to win off 33 overs, Pakistan were pegged back by Stephan Smith. Rameez Aziz's well-paced 45 gave them some hope, before Malcolm Noffal's twin blows towards the end took South Africa home.

Papua New Guinea were at the receiving end of a thrashing as United States of America managed a huge 116-run win at Lincoln Green. Opting to bat, the 122-run opening stand between Steven Taylor (57) and Henry Wardley (54) set the tone for USA. The batsmen looked to be in a hurry to get runs, with Andy Mohammed leading the way with a 51-ball 57. Four wickets for Charles Amin was little consolation as USA piled up 286. While Naseer Jamali dealt PNG two early blows, it was offspinner Asad Ghous' 4 for 36 that wrecked the chase. Lega Tau top scored for PNG with 45 as they folded in the 39th over.