Aiden Markram cracked a crucial half-century as table-topping South Africa broke their 24-year World Cup jinx against Pakistan with a nervy one-wicket victory and inched closer to securing a semi-final place with their fifth win in six matches.

Sri Lanka breathed life into their World Cup campaign and left England in increasing danger of missing out on a semi-final spot after crushing the defending champions by eight wickets in a low-scoring match.

Quinton de Kock led South Africa’s batting carnage with an incendiary 174 as they crushed Bangladesh by 149 runs to stay on course for a place in the semi-finals of the 50-overs World Cup.

The landmark win over Pakistan in the World Cup will cause a ripple effect in Afghan cricket and inspire future players, Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott said.

Afghanistan pulled off their second giant-killing act of the ongoing 50-over World Cup with a memorable eight-wicket victory against 1992 champions Pakistan on Monday.

Australia acting captain and wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy was rushed into surgery at the weekend after injuring her right index finger trying to separate her dogs as they were fighting.

Virat Kohli’s crafty 95 trumped Daryl Mitchell’s rapid 130 as hosts India beat New Zealand by four wickets in a top-of-the-table clash in the 50-overs World Cup.

India may not have the same balance they had in their first four World Cup games due to Hardik Pandya’s injury but it gives the hosts a chance to experiment with a different combination against New Zealand, coach Rahul Dravid said.

Heinrich Klaasen scored a 61-ball century as South Africa posted 399 and then bowled England out for 170 in 22 overs to claim a massive 229-run victory in their Cricket World Cup pool stage clash at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Virat Kohli smashed a century as India maintained their perfect record in their 50-overs home World Cup and cruised to their fourth consecutive victory with a clinical seven-wicket win against Bangladesh.

New Zealand collected its fourth straight win to open the Cricket World Cup by beating Afghanistan by 149 runs after important half-centuries by Glenn Phillips and Tom Latham.

The Netherlands caused a stunning upset by beating South Africa by 38 runs in a rain-shortened match to inflict a first defeat on the Proteas in the ongoing 50-overs World Cup in Dharamsala.