India eye last eight while blundering Kamran takes cover

India plotted a course for the World Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday as bitter rivals Pakistan were swamped by demands from angry fans to drop blundering wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal.

India, with their batting in overdrive but their fielding resolutely stuck in second gear, tackle the Netherlands where a win will virtually ensure a spot in the last eight.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni wants an easy outing against the Dutch at Delhi's Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium after surviving some anxious moments.

The Indians cantered to an 87-run victory against Bangladesh followed by a high-scoring tie with England and a tense five-wicket victory over Ireland.

"It has been a good start for us," said Dhoni, whose team are top of Group B with five points from three games.

"We saw a tight game, a close game and a good one. We are now looking forward to an easy game against the Netherlands."

Dhoni accepted that the bowling had not been up to the mark but backed his under-fire attack to come good as the tournament progressed.

"We would like to improve a bit in our bowling especially when a batsman gets in, how to put pressure on that particular batsman and push him into playing a big shot and get him out."

Meanwhile Pakistan coach Waqar Younis admitted Kamran Akmal's butter fingers cost his side victory against New Zealand in Pallekele but praised Ross Taylor for the innings of a lifetime.

Taylor, who benefited from two astonishing let-offs by Kamran, hit a career-best unbeaten 131 to fire his side to 302-7 before New Zealand dismissed Pakistan for 192.

Waqar admitted the dropped catches - both off paceman Shoaib Akhtar, with Taylor on nought and eight - cost Pakistan dear.

"I don't think this is the time to put the blame on someone. It's a fact that he didn't do the best keeping, the standard was not good and he dropped a few catches," said Waqar.

"Those were straight sitters, it was not as if they were difficult catches, but such things happen. It was a bad day for him as he dropped catches which really cost us the game."

But former paceman Waqar also said credit should go to Taylor, adding: "I guess the way he played, you play just one or two innings like that in your life."

The coach ruled out dropping Kamran.

"I think maybe after the World Cup, we can think about it but now we are in the middle of the tournament and I don't think we can make such a change and panic. We should not."

However, Pakistan fans vented their frustration against Akmal and demanded he be dropped.

One fan wrote on Twitter: "What do Kamran and Michael Jackson have in common? They both wear gloves for no reason."

New Zealand's win put them top of Group A, but it came at cost with captain Daniel Vettori injuring his right knee while attempting a catch and forced to leave the field.

"We'll see how Danny is over the next few days," said Taylor, the vice-captain.

"Hopefully it's just a bit of jarring. He's key to our team and we need him for the rest of the tournament."