Top teams gear up for quarters

With top teams making the quarterfinal line-up, the knockout stage will begin when South Africa take on 1996 champions Sri Lanka on Wednesday at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Defending champions India seem to have the simplest test against Bangladesh as the Asian rivals lock horns at MCG on Thursday. 

Come Friday, four-time champions Australia lock horns with an unpredictable Pakistan, 1992 champions, in what is pitted to be the most promising game of the last-eight stage. In the final quarters clash, co-hosts and contenders new Zealand will be up against West Indies. Quarterfinals March 18: South Africa vs Sri Lanka; March 19: India vs Bangladesh; March 20: Australia vs Pakistan; March 21: New Zealand vs West Indies.