India, Pakistan on course for a super-eight clash in World Twenty20

Arch-rivals India and Pakistan stayed on course for a highly-awaited Super Eights clash in the World Twenty20 with contrasting wins on Sunday.

India demolished defending champions England by 90 runs in a group A match in Colombo after Pakistan had pipped New Zealand by 13 runs in group D in Pallekele.

Both India and Pakistan are almost certain to be drawn in the same Super Eights group, with a match between the Asian giants scheduled to be played in Colombo on September 30.

India are already into the Super Eights, while Pakistan take on Bangladesh in their last league match on Tuesday, needing a win to advance.

If Pakistan beat Bangladesh, which they should, it is certain that India and their arch-rivals will be meeting, albeit much earlier than fans would want.

Bangladesh qualifying for the next round is almost ruled out as they will have to thrash Pakistan black and blue to have any chance.

After the England match, Indians were upbeat but emotional at the same time.

"It's been a hard year being out of the side," an emotional Harbhajan said. "Other boys were doing really well, so it was really difficult for me to make a comeback.

"For me this was an important game. Getting a wicket off the second ball gave me a lot of confidence. This India shirt is everything for me. I don't know what I would do if not playing for India."

England captain Stuart Broad conceded his team played poorly.

"Poor all round really," he said. "We were okay with 171, but India bowled really well. We played across the line too much. I don't agree we can't play spin. Certainly in training we have been learning.

"We have had a very bad day, but that does not affect the rest of the tournament. It does not change where we go."

In Pallekele, another off-spinner Saeed Ajmal took four wickets as Pakistan kept their nerve to pull off an exciting win over New Zealand in their first match in the tournament.

Ajmal's 4-30 helped Pakistan restrict New Zealand to 164-9 after setting the Black Caps a daunting 178-run target on the back of a career-best 56 from Nasir Jamshed.

Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez said he was confident his bowlers would win the game.

"We have good variations in our bowling and Ajmal was once again outstanding," he said. "Once we got Brendon McCullum out, we were sure of winning."

(With AFP inputs)