PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka (AP):

Pakistan opener Imran Nazir smashed 72 off 36 balls to lead his team into the Super Eight stage at the World Twenty20 with an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Bangladesh yesterday.

Bangladesh needed to win by at least 36 runs to knock out Pakistan in the final Group D match, and Shakib Al Hasan's 84 off 54 balls in a total of 175-6 raised hopes an upset was possible. But they were dashed by Nazir smashing nine fours and three sixes in a 124-run opening stand off 81 balls with captain Mohammad Hafeez (45), as Pakistan cruised to 178-2 in 18.4 overs to record its highest-ever run chase.

"It's a great team effort. The boys have shown the right attitude so far in this tournament," Hafeez said. "There's a little bit of a concern about the (Pakistan) fast bowlers, but I am very happy as captain, and the team is responding to me."

Pakistan topped the group after also beating New Zealand by 13 runs.

Pakistan join India, South Africa and Australia in the seemingly more difficult Group 2 of the Super Eight stage. Defending champions England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and West Indies are in Group 1.

Bangladesh had a sniff of victory, but Abul Hasan dropped Nazir at mid-on in Shafiul Islam's first over with the batsman on 1.

But the life didn't change Nazir's style of smashing the ball around the field at Pallekele International Stadium.

His half-century took 25 balls - the quickest at this World Twenty20 - with seven fours and three sixes and he hit a further three boundaries.

Abul Hasan removed both openers in the 14th over when he had Nazir caught in the deep and Hafeez edged to wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim.

Nasir Jamshed, who scored a half-century against New Zealand at the same venue, added 52 with Kamran Akmal as Pakistan raced to the target with eight deliveries to spare.

ICC World Twenty20

Tabulate under: P - matches played, W - wins, T - tied result, L - losses, NR - no result, Pts - points.

First Round

Top two teams in each group advance

Group A

x-advances

Group B

x-advances

Group C

x-advances

Group D

x-advances

SUPER EIGHTS

Group 1

Thursday, September 27

Pallekele

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand

England vs West Indies

Saturday, September 29

Pallekele

England vs New Zealand

Sri Lanka vs West Indies

Monday, October 1

Pallekele

West Indies vs New Zealand

England vs Sri Lanka

Group 2

Friday, September 28

Colombo

Pakistan vs South Africa

Australia vs India

Sunday, September 30

Colombo

Australia vs South Africa

Pakistan vs India

Tuesday, October 2

Colombo

Australia vs Pakistan

India vs South Africa

SEMI-FINALS

Thursday, October 4

Colombo

Super 8 Group 1 winner vs Super 8 Group 2 runner-up

Friday, October 5

Colombo

Super 8 Group 2 winner vs Super 8 Group 1 runner-up

FINAL

Sunday, October 7

Colombo

Semi-final winners

Note: Seedings of the teams were predetermined for Super Eights - irrespective of the results in group matches.