Ireland and Bangladesh strike stunning blows against superpowers

Ireland and Bangladesh turned the World Cup upside down on Saturday with stunning victories over Asian superpowers Pakistan and India.

Ireland's band of part-timers and foreign imports caused probably the biggest sensation in the history of the tournament by beating Pakistan by three wickets in Kingston to send the 1992 champions crashing out of the tournament.

India, considered one of the favourites for the title, were stunned by a five-wicket loss to a youthful Bangladesh but at least have the consolation of still being in the World Cup. Debutants Ireland made it a St. Patrick's Day to remember at Sabina Park.

Chasing a revised target of 128 from 47 overs, Ireland held their nerve to hit the jackpot with 32 balls to spare, when captain Trent Johnson smashed Azhar Mahmood over long-on for six. The Irish victory handed Pakistan their second straight defeat in the competition, following their 54-run loss to hosts West Indies.

The win also put Ireland on the verge of qualifying for the second round Super Eights. Niall O'Brien hit a one-day international career best 72 from 107 balls after his teammates had earlier bowled and fielded with purpose to dismiss the Pakistanis for a modest 132 in 45.4 overs. Boyd Rankin was the most successful Irish bowler with three wickets for 32 runs from nine overs while only four Pakistani batsmen got into double-figures - Kamran Akmal scored 27, Imran Nazir got 24, Mohammad Yousuf made 15, and Sami gathered 12.

"We were outstanding in the field and the way we batted to chase down the runs was fantastic," said Johnston.

"We were lucky to win the toss but we bowled well and put the ball in all the right areas. We were always asking questions of Pakistan. All the boys came of age today."

Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq, playing in his fifth and final World Cup, was devastated by the defeat which will almost certainly lead to his axing if he doesn't retire beforehand.

"It was a very disappointing performance because it means we are out of the World Cup," said Inzamam who played in the 1992 World Cup winning team.

"It wasn't easy to bat first but all credit to Ireland. They bowled tight lines and we played too many poor shots. It's my last World Cup, I wanted the team to do well but, sometimes, these things happen."

At Port of Spain, Indian captain Rahul Dravid admitted his team face a battle to qualify for the next round after losing by five wickets to Bangladesh.

"Our backs are up against the wall," said Dravid who chose to bat at the Queen's Park Oval and saw his much-vaunted batting line-up skittled out for just 191.

"It was a disappointing day. We didn't get enough runs on the board. I thought 240 would have been a good score but the wicket surprised us.

"We know we've got to win two games now. We've got our backs to the wall and have got to fight pretty hard."

India will have to beat Sri Lanka as well as minnows Bermuda to have any hope of making it through to the second round Super Eights.

It was only Bangladesh's second win in 15 matches against India, the 1983 World Cup winners and beaten finalists in 2003.

Bangladesh teenagers Tamim Iqbal, Saqibul Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim all made half-centuries to lead their country to their famous win.

Chasing just 192, Bangladesh wrapped up the Group B match with nine balls to spare. Opener Iqbal, aged just 17, hit 51 off 53 balls with 19-year-old Saqibul making 53 off 86 balls. Nineteen-year-old Mushfiqur Rahim made an unbeaten 56 off 107 balls to see his side home. "I just tried to play my natural game," said Iqbal who collected seven fours and two sixes. Man-of-the-match was seamer Mashrafe Mortaza who collected 4-38 to rock India.

Meanwhile, a dramatic day at the World Cup was completed when it was announced that several of England's players had been fined for a "breach of team discipline".

The players - understood to be James Anderson, Ian Bell, Jon Lewis and Liam Plunkett - were fined for a late night drinking session at the Rumours Nightclub near England's team hotel in St Lucia.

They had been out late ahead of their second Group clash against Canada on Sunday - a match England must win if they are to qualify for the Super Eights.

Gibbs troubles Dutch as Kiwis see off England

Herschelle Gibbs smashed his way into the record books as the World Cup witnessed another heayweight nation deliver a brutal knockout blow to a hapless contender on Friday. Gibbs became the first man to hit six sixes in an over in a one-day international as the Netherlands were bludgeoned into a humiliating 221-run defeat at the hands of world number one South Africa in St Kitts.

South Africa piled up 353-3 off just 40 overs in a rain-restricted Group A tie with Jacques Kallis making an unbeaten 128 and Mark Boucher finishing not out on 75.

Boucher joined Gibbs, who was eventually out for 72, in the record books by making the fastest World Cup half-century reaching the mark in just 21 balls, two quicker than the previous best of Brian Lara.

Skipper Graeme Smith contributed 67 before the Dutch crawled to 132-9 in their 40 overs. "It's up there with the best things I've done," said Gibbs.

"I never thought about getting six in a row, but if it's your day, it's your day."

It was the third embarrassing result of the first week of the World Cup following Sri Lanka's 245-run win over Bermuda and defending champions Australia's 203-run triumph against Scotland.

Meanwhile, New Zealand beat England by six wickets in a crucial Group C clash at St Lucia in a game featuring the two probable qualifiers from that section for the second round Super Eights. The Black Caps' win also means they will carry two extra points into the next round should England, as expected, edge Kenya and Canada to second spot.

Chasing 210 for victory, New Zealand finished on 210 for four with nine overs to spare after having recovered from 19 for three in five overs.

They were still in trouble at 72 for four before an unbeaten stand of 138 between all-rounders Scott Styris (87 not out) and Jacob Oram (63 not out) saw them home.

Earlier, Kevin Pietersen top-scored for England with 60 but England were undone by a middle order collapse which saw them slump from 133-3 to 138-7.

"It's not the ideal start but we will have to pick ourselves up in time to face Canada on Sunday," said England skipper Michael Vaughan.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming praised his team. "It was a crucial game and both teams were battling for the points," said Fleming. "Important players put their hands up at the right time - Shane Bond and then Styris and Oram. It's a big win and we're on the board."

Bangladesh, who face India in their first game on Saturday, were in mourning after Test player Manjarul Islam Rana and fellow cricketer Sajedul Islam Shetu were killed in a road accident. Manjarul and Sajedul died when the motorcycle on which they were travelling collided with a bus in the southwestern Bangladesh city of Khulna.

"I am deeply shocked. He was our team-mate and we played together for a long time," said Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar of Manjarul who played six Tests and 25 one-day internationals but missed out on the World Cup squad.

Left-arm spinner Manjarul, who was just 22, made his ODI debut in November 2003 at the age of 19 and took the wicket of England skipper Vaughan with his third ball.

Saturday's other World Cup match sees Pakistan take on Ireland with the Irish buoyed by their last-ball tie with Zimbabwe in their opening game and determined to celebrate St Patrick's Day in style.

Srilanka and Zimbabwe registered wins

Srilanka 328/7 in 50 overs Jayawardena 83 Sangakara 76 Bermuda 79 all out malinga claimed 3 wkts Ireland 222/9 in 50 overe Zimbabwe 223/7 in 49 overs

Engliah Premier League news

Aston Villa 0 - 1 Arsenal goal scored by Diaby Manchester City 0 - 1 Chelsea pen. Lampard Chelsea mantained the 6 point gap. While Asenal moved up to 3rd place

Australia cruised and Kenya home too

Australia vs Scotland Australia beat Scotland as ponting scored a hundred making a team total of 342 Kenya vs Canada Kenya easily chased the tar get of 200 set by Canada Steve Tikolo made 71 to receive the man of the match

Windies Crushed Pakistan To Give Threats To Other Teams

West Indies, bidding to become the first host nation to win the World Cup, got their campaign off to a dream start on Tuesday with a 54-run win over Pakistan.

Brian Lara's side, who were restricted to 241-9 off their 50 overs, bowled out Inzamam-ul-Haq's unpredictable Pakistanis for just 187 in 47.2 overs at a sun-drenched and packed Sabina Park in Jamaica.

Chasing 242, Pakistan looked on track when Mohammad Yousuf and Inzamam put on 60 for the fourth wicket.

But man-of-the-match Dwayne Smith then snared three wickets - including Yousuf and Inzamam - for 36 runs from 10 overs.

Though Shoaib Malik cracked 62 to lead a late charge for the Pakistanis, Dwayne Bravo snuffed the life out of the comeback with three for 42 from nine overs.

Earlier Marlon Samuels hit 63 to lead the West Indies to a respectable score after they had struggled to 101-3 at the 30-over mark.

"Players like Marlon Samuels, Dwyane Bravo and Dwayne Smith were really special," said Lara. "The young players showed great spirit. Marlon had a real go and got us to four an over. Then we bowled well, it was a real team effort."

Inzamam, whose side came into the World Cyp beset by problems following the withdrawal of pace bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, admitted Lara's men were the better side. "They played really well," said Inzamam. "Now we have to take the pressure and try to do well in the remaining games. We have the experienced players to do well."

Wednesday sees what could be the first of many one-sided encounters in the first round when Scotland take on defending champions Australia in St Kitts. But Scotland's Australian coach Peter Drinnen insists his players won't be intimidated by Ricky Ponting's men.

"It's an incredible challenge and we've got to be realistic about it. We are not going to stand here and say that we can blow Australia out of the water," Drinnen said.

"Bat first, bat second, we're not worried. The wickets we've played on recently were a bit tacky so, come what may, we want give it our best shot." The Scots have plenty of experience in their side with Dougie Brown and Gavin Hamilton, both of whom have played one-dayers for England, in their squad.

South Africa and the Netherlands, who play Friday, make up Group A. Mickey Arthur, the coach of world number one South Africa, admitted that games against the non-Test playing nations are not something he looks forward to.

"I have always described the games against the Netherlands and Scotland as two scary games and we don't want any slip-ups in these games," Arthur said. Wednesday's other game sees 2003 semi-finalists face Canada in St Lucia. They may be the two minnows in a Group C featuring England and New Zealand, but they will both fancy their chances of beating the other.

Four years ago Kenya defeated Sri Lanka, the 1996 champions, while, at the same World Cup, Canada beat Bangladesh by a crushing 60 runs in Durban.

The 2003 tournament also saw Canada's John Davison score the fastest century in World Cup history, off 67 balls, when he smashed the West Indies attack all round Centurion.

world cuo2007 updates

First Match West Indies 241/9 in 50 overs M.Samuels 63