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Best figures by a left-arm spinner in World Cup

Last updated on: March 6, 2011 22:10 IST
Yuvraj Singh celebrates after picking up a five-wicket haul against Ireland in bangalore

Yuvraj Singh did the star turn with bat and ball as India beat Ireland by five wickets in their third World Cup encounter at the Chinnaswamy stadium, in Bangalore on Sunday.

- Scorecard

Chasing a modest total of 208, India got to the target in 46 overs.

Yuvraj remained not out on 50, having taken five for 31, a maiden five-wicket haul, earlier, as India bundled out Ireland for a modest 207 in 47.5 overs.

Yuvraj's figures of five for 31 are the best by a left-arm spinner in the history of World Cup.

Porterfield stands tall amidst the ruins

Last updated on: March 6, 2011 22:10 IST
William Porterfield hits a six during the match

Ireland skipper William Porterfield (75 off 104 balls) and Niall O'Brien (46 off 78) put on 113 runs off 148 balls for the third wicket to put the minnows back on track after the loss of early wickets.

But the skipper's dismissal at a crucial juncture allowed India fight back into the match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

During his 146-minute stay in the middle, Portefield hit six boundaries and a six, while Niall's knock included three hits to the fence.

Alex Cusack made 24 of 30 balls, but overall, the Irish line-up found Yuvraj too difficult to handle on a track where batting never looked the most hardest thing in the world.

Zaheer provides early breakthrough

Last updated on: March 6, 2011 22:10 IST
Zaheer Khan celebrates after picking a wicket

After the two early blows, it was more about a battle for survival for Ireland. But Portefield and Niall both showed gumption during an association, which not just steadied what seemed like a sinking ship a little while ago, but also yielded runs on the board.

Runs came at a healthy pace as long as the two were in the crease. Apart from an attack that lacked bite, the Irish duo was also helped by some sloppy ground fielding by the Indians, though Virat Kohli made up for his few few lapses by running out the senior among the O'Brien brothers.

Piyush Chawla expensive yet again

Last updated on: March 6, 2011 22:10 IST
Piyush Chawla

But before that, for 93 minutes and 148 deliveries, Porterfield and O'Brien made the Indians sweat with some calculative batting.

The ploy was to attack Piyush Chawla, the weakest link in the Indian attack, and the moment the leggie was introduced just before the first drinks break, Porterfield signalled his intention with a towering six over deep mid-wicket.

Using his feet regularly, Porterfield not only negated whatever turn was there on offer, but also forced Chawla to err in line. The leg-spinner was guilty of bowling too many extras in his first spell, including three wides and a no ball in a single over that left the Indians frustrated for a while.

Soon Porterfield reached his half-century, a well-deserved one, with a drive through extra cover after Chawla dropped one too full and in the zone.

Johnston silences Sehwag early

Last updated on: March 6, 2011 22:10 IST
Trent Johnston celebrates a caught and bowled from Sehwag

Virender Sehwag got off the mark in his trademark fashion, slamming Boyd Rankin for a four through the covers off the first ball of the innings. But Trent Johnston silenced the M Chinnaswamy stadium when he dismissed the dashing opener.

Johnston struck with his first delivery of the match, having Sehwag caught and bowled for five as the batsman looked to play it on the leg side.

Johnston celebrated in his own unique style.

Cusack puts the brakes on India

Last updated on: March 6, 2011 22:10 IST
Alex Cusack catches Gautam Gambhir

Just when the Indians got going, Johnston silenced the crowd again!

This time he had Gautam Gambhir caught by Alex Cusack at short fine leg for 11.  The batsman tried to flick the ball fine of the fielder and was brilliantly caught.

It was a big blow for India, as both Sehwag and Gambhir were out cheaply.

For Johnston, it was a wicket maiden.

Tendulkar checked by Dockrell

Last updated on: March 6, 2011 22:10 IST
Tendulkar steps out and cuts

Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli then steadied the innings with some judicious play. Tendulkar showed his class when he unleashed a straight drive for a magnificent boundary past a diving mid-on fielder. He then played the next delivery, a bit short in length, to the thirdman region for a single.

A paddle sweep for a boundary through fine leg by the ace batsman saw brought up the 50-run partnership for the third wicket with Kohli.

But Dockrell, who was not even born when Tendulkar played his first World Cup in 1992, dismissed the master batsman. Tendulkar tried to sweep him across the line but missed and was trapped leg before wicket for 38.

Tendulkar (38 off 56 balls) had a long discussion with Kohli whether the referral should be taken but in the end walked off Kohli confirmed he was plumb in front.

Pathan blazes away

Last updated on: March 6, 2011 22:10 IST
Yusuf Pathan

Yusuf Pathan walked out to huge cheer from the packed Chinnaswamy and gave his fans what they were asking for.

He pulled the second ball that he faced from Dockrell over midwicket for a four and followed it with a huge six over long-on.

He continued to punish Dockrell, launching another flighted delivery high into the stands over long-on.

He raced to 16 from five balls and suddenly India needed 25 from the remaining nine overs for victory.

In the end he was unbeaten on 30  from 24 balls.

Yuvraj first to score 50 and take 5 wkts in same WC match

Last updated on: March 6, 2011 22:10 IST
Yuvraj on way to his fifty

Yuvraj flicked a full toss through midwicket for a thumping boundary to move to 49, and completed his fifty off the next ball to become the first cricketer to hit a half-century and take five wickets in the same match in a World Cup.

For his efforts he was deservedly named man of the match.