ENGLAND lost another Cricket World Cup match by a big margin yesterday and its odds of making the quarter-finals are fading. Pakistan did the opposite, winning for the first time in three matches to improve its chances of reaching the final eight.

Nine days after losing to New Zealand by eight wickets, England returned to the same venue at Wellington and lost by nine wickets to Sri Lanka despite posting a challenging total of 309.

At Brisbane, Australia, Mohammad Irfan used his height to full effect to take four wickets as Pakistan defended a low total against Zimbabwe to get its tournament campaign back on track with a 20-run victory.

The only good news for England was Joe Root's 121 runs. However, after embarrassing losses to Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka - with a win over second-tier Scotland sprinkled in - the English find themselves sixth of seven teams in Pool A.

Currently fifth

They have two more matches to make amends and sneak into the top four of the group - against third-place Bangladesh and first-time World Cup entrants Afghanistan, currently fifth in the group.

For the Sri Lankans, who reached 312-1 in the 48th over of a comfortable chase, Lahiru Thirimanne was 139 not out and veteran Kumar Sangakkara was unbeaten on 117.

Zimbabwe was happy at the half way mark in Brisbane, too, after restricting Pakistan to 235-7.

Pakistan's gamble to drop experienced batsman Younis Khan in favour of Rahat Ali to bolster the bowling attack paid off on the fast, bouncy wicket at the Gabba, after coming under question when the 1992 champions slipped to 4-2 after winning the toss and batting.

Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq went in at that stage and stuck around for 42 overs, scoring 73 runs before he was out trying to lift the run rate. Wahab Riaz was unbeaten on 54 after a late onslaught at the end.

Irfan had Zimbabwe reeling at 22-2 in reply, and returned in his second spell to snuff out a dangerous partnership, finishing with a career-best 4-30. Riaz chipped in with 4-45.