In Pictures: Twenty20 World Cup

Sri Lanka''s Mendis is congratulated after taking the wicket of Zimbabwe''s Masakadza during their Twenty20 World Cup cricket match in Hambantota

The hosts Sri Lanka are one of the favourites to win the tournament along with Pakistan, India, South Africa and England. The home advantage is bound to help an improving Sri Lankan side

In the opener on Tuesday, Sri Lanka thrashed a below par Zimbabwe team by 82 runs. After an eight month lay off, finger spinner Ajantha Mendis took 6-8 to lead Sri Lanka to victory

Australia''s Watson hits out during the ICC World Twenty20 group B match against Ireland at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Australia recorded a seven wicket victory over Ireland in Colombo. All rounder Shane Watson took 3-14 and hit 51 off 31 with Australia out to prove they were better than their ninth ranking suggests

Afghanistan qualified for the Twenty20 World Cup for the second time. They were unable to win a game in the West Indies but will be hoping to give their fans something to cheer about back home

And Afghanistan gave India a bit of a fright in their opening match. Up against one of the cricket world(***)s big boys, it was dropped catches which cost Afghanistan who lost by 23 runs

New Zealand''s Vettori speaks to reporters during an open session news conference ahead of the World Twenty20 cricket series in Colombo

Five of South Africa(***)s players suffered from a virus before their match against Zimbabwe on Thursday. Kiwi Daniel Vettori (pictured) and two of his teammates went down with stomach trouble before travelling from Colombo to Kandy. NZ open their campaign at Pallekele on Friday against Bangladesh

South Africa''s Albie is congratulated by his teammates after taking the wicket of Zimbabwe''s Masakadza during their Twenty20 World Cup cricket match in Hambantota

Zimbabwe are the first nation to be sent packing from the tournament after Jacques Kallis recorded his best Twenty20 figures for his country to inspire South Africa to 10 wicket win

Brendon McCullum hit the highest individual score in Twenty20 internationals as New Zealand crushed Bangladesh by 59 runs. He bettered unbeaten 117 scored by South African opener Richard Levi

England v Afghanistan - ICC World Twenty20 2012: Group A

Defending Champions England knocked minnows Afghanistan out of the competition as they flew to a 116 run win in their Group A match in Colombo. England are now ensured a place in the Super Eights along with India

South Africa''s Amla plays a shot against Sri Lanka during their Twenty20 World Cup cricket match in Hambantota

Both South Africa and Sri Lanka are through to the Super Eights but in their clash it was the Proteas who came out on top with a 32 run win. South Africa(***)s Hashim Amla (pictured) hit three fours for his team during a match that was shortened due to rain

Pakistan''s Gul celebrates after taking the wicket of New Zealand''s McCullum during their Twenty20 World Cup cricket match in Pallekele

Pakistan survived a late New Zealand fightback to claim a thrilling 13-run victory in the Group D match on Sunday

India''s Pathan celebrates after dismissing England''s Hales during their ICC World Twenty20 group A match in Colombo

Despite both teams having already qualified for the Super Eight, India’s crushing 90-run win over defending champions England can only be a morale-booster ahead of the next round

Pakistan''s Akmal and Jamshed share a moment after winning the match against Bangladesh during their Twenty20 World Cup cricket match in Pallekele

Bangladesh needed to win by at least 36 runs to knock Pakistan out of the tournament. However, they didn(***)t even get close, as Pakistan emphatically defeated their opposition by eight wickets. Pakistan topped the group going through with New Zealand

Sri Lanka''s Malinga celebrates after dismissing New Zealand''s Guptill as McCullum looks on during the super over of their Twenty20 World Cup Super 8 cricket match in Pallekele

In a thrilling end to the Super Eights opener, Sri Lanka beat New Zealand in a Super Over eliminator. With both teams tied on 174 runs, the game went to a decider with Sri Lanka hitting 13-1 with NZ falling short at 8-1.

West Indies'' Rampaul celebrates with Pollard and Samuels after dismissing England''s Wright during the Twenty20 World Cup Super 8 cricket match at Pallekele, Sri Lanka

The West Indies edged England by 15 runs in the second group one match of the day. Chasing a daunting 180-run target, England came close with Eion Morgan and Alex Hales putting on a 107-run partnership but ultimately it was not enough.

Pakistan v South Africa - ICC World Twenty20 2012: Super Eights Group 2

Bowler Umar Gul turned batsman for Pakistan against South Africa on Friday. With his team struggling, Gul combined with Umar Akmal to share a match-winning partnership of 49 in 27 balls. The two wicket victory came in the last over with only two balls remaining

Opening batsmen Shane Watson and David Warner (L) smashed India apart as they put on 133 runs. Australia defeated their rivals by nine wickets with a remaining 31 balls left as they strolled to the 141 target

Sri Lanka put one foot into the semi-finals thumping the West Indies by nine wickets in a low-scoring match. Mahela Jayawardene hit an unbeaten 65 for the hosts.

England v New Zealand - ICC World Twenty20 2012: Super Eights Group 1

Defending champions England put their title quest back on track with a comfortable six-wicket win over New Zealand. Steven Finn took a career best 3-16 and Luke Wright scored 76 in a 149-run chase.

Australia v South Africa - ICC World Twenty20 2012: Super Eights Group 2

Shane Watson starred with the bat and ball, smashing 70 runs and taking two wickets to give Australia an eight-wicket win over South Africa.