India, England survive huge scares at World Twenty20

Banglore : India scraped a last-ball, one-run win over Bangladesh while England had a narrow escape against Afghanistan Wednesday as two of the favourites in cricket's World Twenty20 were nearly humiliated by rank outsiders.

After making a modest 146 in their innings, India were on the verge of suffering their first ever T20 defeat to Bangladesh in Bangalore.

But they took three wickets in the last three balls, with wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni running out Mustafizur Rahman at the finale as Bangladesh fell one run short.

England meanwhile were reduced to 85 for seven by Afghanistan in New Delhi before a late rally by Moeen Ali and David Willey enabled them to post what was to prove a winning score of 142 against spirited opponents.

The results strengthened the prospects of both India and England reaching next week's semi-finals in Mumbai and New Delhi. However they must win their final group games against Australia and Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh and Afghanistan have no chance of advancing further after losing their first three matches, with one game still to go.