England, Pakistan seal World Cup warm-up wins

England and Pakistan sealed contrasting wins in their World Cup warm-up matches against West Indies and Bangladesh respectively.

Pakistan reached the victory target of 247 with 11 balls to spare to beat Bangladesh by three wickets while Chris Woakes took five for 19 as England claimed a comfortable nine-wicket victory over West Indies.

Openers Moeen Ali (46) and Ian Bell (35 not out) took England more than halfway to their target before their opening partnership was broken and James Taylor (25 not out) joined Bell to finish the job inside 23 overs.

England rested James Anderson and Stuart Broad for their penultimate run-out before they begin their quest for a first World Cup title against co-hosts Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Saturday.

West Indies, who won the first two World Cups in 1975 and 1979, open their campaign against Ireland in Nelson, New Zealand next Monday.

Maqsood, Irfan star for Pakistan

Sohaib Maqsood scored an unbeaten 93 from 90 deliveries to guide Pakistan past Bangaldesh’s total.

Earlier, Mohammad Irfan took 5-52 to restrict Bangladesh to 246, with Mahmudullah (83) and Tamim Iqbal (81) sharing a 168-run third-wicket stand before the last four wickets fell for just 15 runs.

Pakistan overcame the loss of two early wickets to reach 247-7 in 48.1 overs, with Maqsood belting nine boundaries and two sixes and sharing important partnerships with Haris Sohail (39), Umar Akmal (39) and Shahid Afridi, who scored 24 from 20 balls near the end at the Blacktown Olympic Park Oval.

Pakistan, the 1992 champion, opens its World Cup campaign Sunday against arch-rival and defending champion India.