After bowling Ireland out for only 77 in 27.4 overs, the lowest total of this World Cup, the irrepressible Lankans chased down the small target in 10 overs for the loss of two wickets as nearly 63 overs were left unused in the match.

There must be something in Sri Lanka's bowling for the lowest total ever in World Cup history has also been their handiwork, Canada being bowled out for 36 in the 2003 World Cup.

The Irish score incidentally is the sixth lowest total ever made in World Cup history.

And the man responsible for the Irish rout was none other than Farveez Maharoof, who along with Muttiah Muralitharan picked four wickets apiece and completely devastated the Ireland batting after Mahela Jayawardena asked them to bat first.

Ireland had moved to 28 without any alarms before the introduction of Maharoof put them under the pump.

Maharoof stunned the minnows in his first over when he claimed three wickets from four balls to leave them stuttering at 28 for 3. Jeremy Bray departed first, mistiming a slower delivery and lobbing a catch to covers where Russel Arnold ran forward to accept a good chance.

Andre Botha departed off the second ball he faced, fiddling at a delivery outside his off-stump and offering a routine catch to wicketkeeper Kumara Sangakkara.

Off the very next ball, Eoin Morgan met the same fate quite brilliantly picked up Kumar Sangakkara moving to his right after initially he had shaped up to go down the leg-side.

Maharoof, before his spell was out, claimed yet another success, this time William Porterfield dashing down the track to flick the medium-pacer but a leading edge carried to Sanath Jayasuriya at mid-on.

It was only fitting that the lankly Lankan bowler was later adjudged the man of the match.

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