Bangladesh send Windies on way out

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful scored the quickest 50 in Twenty20 Internationals -- off just 20 balls -- as his side sent the West Indies crashing out of the world tournament in Johannesburg.

And Australia could join them on the plane home unless they can beat England in their final group encounter at Newlands on Friday.

Australia had slumped to a shock five-wicket defeat against Zimbabwe on Wednesday, but England made no mistake against the same opposition 24 hours later.

Kevin Pietersen contributed 79 off 37 balls as England claimed victory by 50 runs to bring Zimbabwe back down to earth.

The 23-year-old Ashraful (61) hit three sixes and seven fours as surprise side Bangladesh bettered West Indies 164-8 by six wickets with 12 deliveries left at the Wanderers.

Aftab Ahmed added an unbeaten 62, sharing a stand of 109 for the third wicket with Ashraful that came off just 62 deliveries.

Ashraful reached his half-century by hooking Fidel Edwards for six, eclipsing Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya's 23-ball 50 against New Zealand at Wellington in 2006.

West Indies were eliminated from the 12-nation tournament with their second successive loss following the eight-wicket defeat to South Africa in Tuesday's opener.

Bangladesh now play hosts South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday with both assured of a place in the Super Eights round.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, are looking for England to do them a big favor by ousting the Australians.

Coach Robin Brown said: "We hope England bowl as well against Australia as they did today. Whatever happens we have played some good cricket and we can only go forward."

Pietersen and captain Paul Collingwood (37) were behind England's total of 188 for nine, putting on 100 for the fourth wicket.

Zimbabwe briefly threatened a repeat of Wednesday's upset when Vusi Sibanda and Brendan Taylor put on 74 for the first wicket in 8.4 overs. E-mail to a friend