Canadian cricket chiefs want to send their national side to tour Pakistan, Pakistani officials said on Wednesday, more than three years after international matches were halted in the troubled country.

Playing in trademark black and white, host Germany survived opening-game jitters to beat Canada 2-1 and confirm its role as the favorite for the title. France won the opener against Nigeria 1-0 to leave Germany's continental neighbors in charge of Group A.

Delhi boy Ashish Bagai on Monday resigned as the captain of the Canada cricket team ahead of the Intercontinental Cup in June.

Former International Cricket Council chief executive Malcolm Speed feels that although decision to curtail the number of teams for the next World Cup to 10 is justified, the associate nations should get a chance to qualify for the two spots during the 2015 edition Down Under.

Australia skipper Ricky Ponting was impressed with Hiral Patel's blazing 45-ball 54-run innings and compared the Canada opener with Indian swashbuckler Virender Sehwag in Bangalore on Wednesday.

Ashish Bagai, the Canada captain, has said that if cricket has to grow as a sport in Canada the locals have to take up the game.

Australia dismissed Canada for 211 on Wednesday, eyeing a win that would take them to the top of their group as England mulled their bowling options ahead of their crunch West Indies tie.

Australia beat Canada by 7 wickets which though looks like a one sided affair on scorecard but Australia were far from comfortable at certain junctures.

For his part, Ponting said, "The time for experiments is over. We have three games in a week's time before the quarters and we want to be playing at our best. We are looking to win tomorrow's game comfortably."

Canada captain Ashish Bagai said the way his side played against champions Australia on Wednesday could force a change in plans to cut the number of teams at future World Cups.