Win takes Tigers to brink of Cup knockouts

Bangladesh cruised to a six-wicket win over the Netherlands Monday which takes them to the brink of the World Cup quarter-finals as Pakistan looked to seal their own passage.

Co-hosts Bangladesh are now in fourth place in Group B on six points, with the top four teams qualifying for the last eight and know a win over South Africa on Saturday will take them through.

The Dutch won the toss in Chittagong and opted to bat but slumped to 160 all out in 46.2 overs despite 53 not out from the dangerous Ryan ten Doeschate.

Abdur Razzak picked up 3-29 in 10 overs, while fellow spinners skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Suhrawadi Shuvo claimed one wicket apiece.

In a reckless display of running between the wickets, the Netherlands lost four batsmen to run outs.

Untroubled Bangladesh surpassed the target in the 42nd over with left-handed Imrul Kayes making 73 not out.

"It was a nervous win because we had to win to stay in the contest. I thought the boys showed their character and bowled in really good areas and kept the pressure on," said Shakib.

Shakib admitted the team would keep one eye on the West Indies-England game even as the players prepared for the match against South Africa.

"Of course we will watch that match, but as far as we are concerned, it will change nothing. Our future should remain in our hands. The bottom line is that we have to beat South Africa."

If the West Indies beat England on Thursday in Chennai, Bangladesh will qualify regardless of the outcome of the South Africa match.

Dutch skipper Peter Borren admitted his team, who have had a miserable World Cup with five defeats in five games, had let themselves down.

"We just kept losing wickets at crucial times," said Borren. "We were trying to form partnerships but failed. Four run-outs and a couple of poor dismissals is criminal at this level. I am a bit disappointed with that."

No team from Group B has yet qualified for the knockout round. Bangladesh, India, West Indies, South Africa and England are all in the mix, with one Test team certain to miss out.

But Group A is a different story with New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Australia already through to the quarter-finals. A win -- or even a tie or no result -- in Monday's day/night match would see Pakistan seize the final place.

Pakistan restricted Zimbabwe to 151-7 after two rain interruptions in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, and need 162 in 38 overs to win under the Duckworth-Lewis formula.

Seamers Umar Gul (3-36), Abdul Razzaq (1-24) and Wahab Riaz (1-21) removed the top four for just 43 after Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura won the toss and chose to bat in overcast conditions.

Left-hander Craig Ervine fought a lone battle, hitting a patient 52 off 82 balls with five boundaries for his third ODI fifty

Meanwhile, in-form South African batsman AB de Villiers has undergone a scan on a left thigh injury ahead of Tuesday's match against Ireland at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

South Africa coach Corrie van Zyl said Monday the injury was not "major".

"We are waiting for the doctor's report," he said.

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