A fine all-round performance from Germany's Farooq Ahmed inspired his team to a nail biting five run win in the second close contest on the opening day.

Ahmed followed up his side's top score of 40 by claiming three wickets as France fell five runs short despite a last over stand of 24 which appeared to be edging them to the win.

Germany's total of 172 for 9 was bolsterd by the concession of 32 extras - including 24 wides, and that damning statistic was to prove crucial in the final analysis.

Asif Khan (39), Satya Srinivas (16), Rishi Pillai (13) and Shakeel Hassan (13) were the German batsmen who reached double figures.

Usman Khan (3-26) was the most successful of the French attack, while Ramesh Sithambaranathan (2-10) and Arun Ayyavooraju (2-29) also both bowled well.

Ayyavooraju also starred with the bat, striking five boundaries in his 62 from 129 balls, befgore being the 9th batsman out.

He received little meaningful support - skipper Wasim Bhatti (20) and Rehman Qureshi (16) were the only players to reach double figures.

The Germans was also guilty of conceding far too many extras - they bowled 20 wides, and on another day it could have been their downfall.

Ahmed (3-40), Javed Rana Iqbal (2-24), Shakeel Hassan (2-33) and Rishi Pillai (1-17) were the successful bowlers who held their nerve to secure the five run win.

The final run out of Ali Akbar sparking off great scenes of celebrations among the German team.