It is if there's 100,000 people doing it.
Here are the highlights from the India vs Pakistan match at this World Cup. A billion people watched it. It seemed as if they were all in that stadium. What an atmosphere.
2015 Cricket World Cup about to commence
- Thread starter Blackleaf
- Start date
It is if there's 100,000 people doing it.
Here are the highlights from the India vs Pakistan match at this World Cup. A billion people watched it. It seemed as if they were all in that stadium. What an atmosphere.
Cricket World Cup 2015: Zimbabwe avoid UAE loss
By Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport
World Cup Pool B, Nelson:
UAE 285-7 (50 overs): Anwar 67, Khan 45, Chatara 3-42, Mire 2-39
Zimbabwe 286-6 (48 overs): Williams 76*, Taylor 47, Tauqir 2-51, Javed 1-49
Zimbabwe won by four wickets
Scorecard
Zimbabwe recorded their highest World Cup run chase to avoid an embarrassing defeat by United Arab Emirates.
UAE's Shaiman Anwar scored 67 as the qualifiers posted 285-7, their highest one-day international score, in their first World Cup match since 1996.
Zimbabwe started slowly before the greater quality and experience of the Test nation began to shine through.
Sean Williams's well-constructed 76 led them to a four-wicket victory with 12 balls to spare in Pool B.
UAE, the last of the 14 competing nations to play their opening match of the tournament, almost caused a shock in the picturesque New Zealand city of Nelson as they chased a first ODI win against a Test side.
The Arab qualifiers showed few nerves in their first World Cup appearance in 19 years and passed their previous ODI best, 282-4 against Afghanistan set last November.
Former England spinner Graeme Swann:
"The UAE are going to struggle with their bowling. All the big teams will dissect this. A few bowlers will be worried though, the UAE know how to play proper shots. Whether they can win a match at this World Cup, my heart says yes but my head says they won't.
"Zimbabwe are not one of the strongest. If they played Ireland tomorrow I'd back Ireland to win. I don't think they are good enough to get out of the group stage. But this was the best game I've seen at this World Cup so far. It was a really good advert for these teams."
Anwar's enterprising 50-ball innings, which included nine fours and a six, set the platform before eighth-wicket pair Mohammad Naveed and Amjad Javed added 53 runs to complete the record tally.
Zimbabwe were boosted by an encouraging display against South Africa in their opening match, producing devastating spells with bat and ball before eventually succumbing to a 62-run defeat.
The lowest-ranked Test side showed enough in that performance to suggest they would reach the target against a UAE side which had only recorded one previous World Cup win.
But UAE skipper Mohammad Tauqir celebrated becoming the oldest captain in World Cup history - aged 43 years and 36 days - by taking the first two wickets as Zimbabwe floundered on 112-3.
Brendan Taylor's swashbuckling 47 steadied Zimbabwe's chase before the sixth-wicket partnership of Craig Ervine and Williams upped the run-rate in an even game.
Ervine's dismissal gave UAE hope before man-of-the-match Williams took control, capping a tremendous innings with three successive boundaries as Zimbabwe, whose previous best run chase had been 231 against Kenya in 1999, boosted their hopes of reaching the last eight.
Pool B
.........................Played........Won........Lost........N/R........R/R........Points
India.....................1.................1.............0.............0........+1.52..........2
South Africa.........1.................1.............0.............0........+1.24..........2
Ireland..................1.................1.............0.............0........+0.62..........2
Zimbabwe............2.................1.............1.............0........+0.46..........2
UAE......................1.................0.............1.............0........-0.26...........0
West Indies..........1.................0.............1.............0........-0.62...........0
Pakistan...............1.................0.............1.............0........-1.52...........0
Zimbabwe's previous highest successful World Cup run chase was 231-5 against Kenya in 1999
Sean Williams has made 18 fifties without a 100, equalling Elton Chigumbura's Zimbabwe record in ODIs
UAE skipper Mohammad Tauqir, aged 43 years and 36 days, is the sixth oldest man to play in the World Cup
BBC Sport - Cricket World Cup 2015: Zimbabwe avoid UAE loss
By Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport
World Cup Pool B, Nelson:
UAE 285-7 (50 overs): Anwar 67, Khan 45, Chatara 3-42, Mire 2-39
Zimbabwe 286-6 (48 overs): Williams 76*, Taylor 47, Tauqir 2-51, Javed 1-49
Zimbabwe won by four wickets
Scorecard
Zimbabwe recorded their highest World Cup run chase to avoid an embarrassing defeat by United Arab Emirates.
UAE's Shaiman Anwar scored 67 as the qualifiers posted 285-7, their highest one-day international score, in their first World Cup match since 1996.
Zimbabwe started slowly before the greater quality and experience of the Test nation began to shine through.
Sean Williams's well-constructed 76 led them to a four-wicket victory with 12 balls to spare in Pool B.
UAE, the last of the 14 competing nations to play their opening match of the tournament, almost caused a shock in the picturesque New Zealand city of Nelson as they chased a first ODI win against a Test side.
The Arab qualifiers showed few nerves in their first World Cup appearance in 19 years and passed their previous ODI best, 282-4 against Afghanistan set last November.
Former England spinner Graeme Swann:
"The UAE are going to struggle with their bowling. All the big teams will dissect this. A few bowlers will be worried though, the UAE know how to play proper shots. Whether they can win a match at this World Cup, my heart says yes but my head says they won't.
"Zimbabwe are not one of the strongest. If they played Ireland tomorrow I'd back Ireland to win. I don't think they are good enough to get out of the group stage. But this was the best game I've seen at this World Cup so far. It was a really good advert for these teams."
Anwar's enterprising 50-ball innings, which included nine fours and a six, set the platform before eighth-wicket pair Mohammad Naveed and Amjad Javed added 53 runs to complete the record tally.
Zimbabwe were boosted by an encouraging display against South Africa in their opening match, producing devastating spells with bat and ball before eventually succumbing to a 62-run defeat.
The lowest-ranked Test side showed enough in that performance to suggest they would reach the target against a UAE side which had only recorded one previous World Cup win.
But UAE skipper Mohammad Tauqir celebrated becoming the oldest captain in World Cup history - aged 43 years and 36 days - by taking the first two wickets as Zimbabwe floundered on 112-3.
Brendan Taylor's swashbuckling 47 steadied Zimbabwe's chase before the sixth-wicket partnership of Craig Ervine and Williams upped the run-rate in an even game.
Ervine's dismissal gave UAE hope before man-of-the-match Williams took control, capping a tremendous innings with three successive boundaries as Zimbabwe, whose previous best run chase had been 231 against Kenya in 1999, boosted their hopes of reaching the last eight.
Pool B
.........................Played........Won........Lost........N/R........R/R........Points
India.....................1.................1.............0.............0........+1.52..........2
South Africa.........1.................1.............0.............0........+1.24..........2
Ireland..................1.................1.............0.............0........+0.62..........2
Zimbabwe............2.................1.............1.............0........+0.46..........2
UAE......................1.................0.............1.............0........-0.26...........0
West Indies..........1.................0.............1.............0........-0.62...........0
Pakistan...............1.................0.............1.............0........-1.52...........0
Zimbabwe's previous highest successful World Cup run chase was 231-5 against Kenya in 1999
Sean Williams has made 18 fifties without a 100, equalling Elton Chigumbura's Zimbabwe record in ODIs
UAE skipper Mohammad Tauqir, aged 43 years and 36 days, is the sixth oldest man to play in the World Cup
BBC Sport - Cricket World Cup 2015: Zimbabwe avoid UAE loss
I agree. It w probably the best game at this World Cup so far, even though neither side has much chance of getting out of the group, never mind winning it.
Not just this World Cup. It was the best ever. When the guy took the thing and ran to the thing...and the guys running...OMG...it makes me want to forget all about lawn bowling and foxhunting
It doesn't make me want to forget lawn bowling and foxhunting. They're belting sports as well.
Why would stuff like this be on a forum? Don't you Blighters have your own forum?
England (and Wales), the founding nation of this great sport, is the laughing stock of world cricket after being humiliated at the hands of New Zealand in their capital Wellington.
The Kiwis thrashed sorry England by 8 wickets, with McCullum scoring 77 and Southee taking a brilliant 7-33, becoming only the fourth man to take seven wickets in a World Cup match.
England, batting first, lost their last SEVEN wickets for just NINETEEN runs, before being bowled out for a pathetic 123.
Brendon McCullum's 18-ball half-century was the fastest in World Cup history, and it propelled New Zealand to their target in just 12.2 overs.
That equalled the shortest ODI chase against England, in a match that lasted just 45.4 overs - less than an actual full innings - in total.
England crushed by New Zealand in World Cup Pool A
By Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Wellington
20 February 2015
World Cup Pool A, Wellington (Regional Stadium):
England 123 (33.2 overs): Root 46, Moeen 20, Southee 7-33, Vettori 1-19
New Zealand 125-2 (12.2 overs): McCullum 77, Guptill 22, Woakes 2-8
New Zealand won by eight wickets
Scorecard
England suffered a humiliating eight-wicket thrashing by New Zealand as Tim Southee became only the fourth man to take seven wickets in a World Cup match.
Southee's 7-33 saw England blown away for 123, the last seven wickets falling for 19 runs.
Brendon McCullum then smashed an 18-ball half-century, the fastest in World Cup history, to propel New Zealand to their target in just 12.2 overs.
That equalled the shortest ODI chase against England, in a match that lasted just 45.4 overs in total.
Only when McCullum was bowled by Chris Woakes for a 25-ball 77 did England avoid the ignominy of being beaten before the scheduled tea interval.
A third win in as many games has all but secured New Zealand's place in the quarter-finals, while two defeats from two means England can perhaps afford only one more from their remaining four matches if they are to qualify.
'England will be utterly embarrassed' - TMS commentator Jonathan Agnew
"That was the most one-sided one-day international between Test-playing nations that I can remember seeing. It was almost too bad to put into words. To be bowled out for 123 and then see that chased down in 12.2 overs is extremely chastening for Eoin Morgan's side."
They face Scotland in Christchurch next from 22:00 GMT on Sunday before matches against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Eoin Morgan's team attracted criticism from the likes of Geoffrey Boycott and Graham Gooch following their opening loss to Australia, but this most one-sided of hammerings was far more abject.
Defeats against both co-hosts were probably expected before start of the tournament, but it is the manner in which England surrendered in Wellington that suggests their World Cup is already in disarray.
On a blameless surface, they were taken apart by Southee, who was as brilliant as England were woeful, pitching the ball up at good pace and finding late swing.
Some resistance came from Joe Root, the last man out for 46, his stand of 47 with captain Morgan the only period of calm in the match.
Morgan, who had managed only two runs in his previous four ODI innings, at least made a rather nervy 17, but his needless loft down the ground to be brilliantly caught at long-on by Adam Milne off Daniel Vettori began the carnage.
Southee, who had earlier bowled the flat-footed opening pair of Ian Bell and Moeen Ali, ran through the England middle and lower order.
James Taylor and Chris Woakes were bowled either side of Jos Buttler edging behind, while Stuart Broad looped a catch to mid-off before Steven Finn was held at first slip.
Southee was denied the chance of the first World Cup eight-wicket haul when Root top edged Milne to long leg, ending England's innings in 33.2 overs.
They had to field right away, with McCullum then piling on the misery in a violent assault on a bowling attack that had no answers.
He cut the second ball he faced, from Broad, for six, the first of seven maximums carved over the off side.
Geoffrey Boycott, Ex-England batsman on Test Match Special
"How do I say something praiseworthy about that? I can't lie about it. What I want is for players and coaches to stop telling us that everything's alright, because it isn't. There was an opportunity on a good pitch and we folded."
Using his feet to both advance and make room, the New Zealand captain hit Finn for four sixes in an over, the pace bowler conceding 49 runs from his spell of two overs.
The fastest one-day hundred of all time was still possible when McCullum missed a Woakes full toss to depart with a strike-rate of 308.00, beating his own record for the highest in any World Cup innings of 50 or more.
It ensured the bizarre sight of the players leaving the field for 45 minutes when New Zealand required only 12 runs to win.
In the 20 legitimate balls after they returned, Woakes bowled Martin Guptill, but, in what was supposed to be a day-night match, the floodlights went unused.
In winning in 12.2 overs, New Zealand equalled the record against England set by Australia when they chased 118 at Sydney in 2003.
Wellington Regional Stadium
"I'm speechless about how he's played," said Geoffrey Boycott after Stuart Broad was out for 4
Brendon McCullum broke his own record for the fastest World Cup half-century, reaching 50 in 18 balls
Steven Finn, second from right, recorded the most expensive ODI bowling figures from those to have bowled a minimum of two overs: 2-0-49-0
Captains Brendon McCullum and Eoin Morgan meet at the post-match presentation
BBC Sport - England crushed by New Zealand in World Cup Pool A
The Kiwis thrashed sorry England by 8 wickets, with McCullum scoring 77 and Southee taking a brilliant 7-33, becoming only the fourth man to take seven wickets in a World Cup match.
England, batting first, lost their last SEVEN wickets for just NINETEEN runs, before being bowled out for a pathetic 123.
Brendon McCullum's 18-ball half-century was the fastest in World Cup history, and it propelled New Zealand to their target in just 12.2 overs.
That equalled the shortest ODI chase against England, in a match that lasted just 45.4 overs - less than an actual full innings - in total.
England crushed by New Zealand in World Cup Pool A
By Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Wellington
20 February 2015
World Cup Pool A, Wellington (Regional Stadium):
England 123 (33.2 overs): Root 46, Moeen 20, Southee 7-33, Vettori 1-19
New Zealand 125-2 (12.2 overs): McCullum 77, Guptill 22, Woakes 2-8
New Zealand won by eight wickets
Scorecard
England suffered a humiliating eight-wicket thrashing by New Zealand as Tim Southee became only the fourth man to take seven wickets in a World Cup match.
Southee's 7-33 saw England blown away for 123, the last seven wickets falling for 19 runs.
Brendon McCullum then smashed an 18-ball half-century, the fastest in World Cup history, to propel New Zealand to their target in just 12.2 overs.
That equalled the shortest ODI chase against England, in a match that lasted just 45.4 overs in total.
Only when McCullum was bowled by Chris Woakes for a 25-ball 77 did England avoid the ignominy of being beaten before the scheduled tea interval.
A third win in as many games has all but secured New Zealand's place in the quarter-finals, while two defeats from two means England can perhaps afford only one more from their remaining four matches if they are to qualify.
'England will be utterly embarrassed' - TMS commentator Jonathan Agnew
"That was the most one-sided one-day international between Test-playing nations that I can remember seeing. It was almost too bad to put into words. To be bowled out for 123 and then see that chased down in 12.2 overs is extremely chastening for Eoin Morgan's side."
They face Scotland in Christchurch next from 22:00 GMT on Sunday before matches against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Eoin Morgan's team attracted criticism from the likes of Geoffrey Boycott and Graham Gooch following their opening loss to Australia, but this most one-sided of hammerings was far more abject.
Defeats against both co-hosts were probably expected before start of the tournament, but it is the manner in which England surrendered in Wellington that suggests their World Cup is already in disarray.
On a blameless surface, they were taken apart by Southee, who was as brilliant as England were woeful, pitching the ball up at good pace and finding late swing.
Some resistance came from Joe Root, the last man out for 46, his stand of 47 with captain Morgan the only period of calm in the match.
Morgan, who had managed only two runs in his previous four ODI innings, at least made a rather nervy 17, but his needless loft down the ground to be brilliantly caught at long-on by Adam Milne off Daniel Vettori began the carnage.
Southee, who had earlier bowled the flat-footed opening pair of Ian Bell and Moeen Ali, ran through the England middle and lower order.
James Taylor and Chris Woakes were bowled either side of Jos Buttler edging behind, while Stuart Broad looped a catch to mid-off before Steven Finn was held at first slip.
Southee was denied the chance of the first World Cup eight-wicket haul when Root top edged Milne to long leg, ending England's innings in 33.2 overs.
They had to field right away, with McCullum then piling on the misery in a violent assault on a bowling attack that had no answers.
He cut the second ball he faced, from Broad, for six, the first of seven maximums carved over the off side.
Geoffrey Boycott, Ex-England batsman on Test Match Special
"How do I say something praiseworthy about that? I can't lie about it. What I want is for players and coaches to stop telling us that everything's alright, because it isn't. There was an opportunity on a good pitch and we folded."
Using his feet to both advance and make room, the New Zealand captain hit Finn for four sixes in an over, the pace bowler conceding 49 runs from his spell of two overs.
The fastest one-day hundred of all time was still possible when McCullum missed a Woakes full toss to depart with a strike-rate of 308.00, beating his own record for the highest in any World Cup innings of 50 or more.
It ensured the bizarre sight of the players leaving the field for 45 minutes when New Zealand required only 12 runs to win.
In the 20 legitimate balls after they returned, Woakes bowled Martin Guptill, but, in what was supposed to be a day-night match, the floodlights went unused.
In winning in 12.2 overs, New Zealand equalled the record against England set by Australia when they chased 118 at Sydney in 2003.
Wellington Regional Stadium
"I'm speechless about how he's played," said Geoffrey Boycott after Stuart Broad was out for 4
Brendon McCullum broke his own record for the fastest World Cup half-century, reaching 50 in 18 balls
Steven Finn, second from right, recorded the most expensive ODI bowling figures from those to have bowled a minimum of two overs: 2-0-49-0
Captains Brendon McCullum and Eoin Morgan meet at the post-match presentation
BBC Sport - England crushed by New Zealand in World Cup Pool A
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I didn't. I'm a grown man.
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Cricket was introduced to Afghanistan by the British in the 19th Century, with British troops having played in Kabul in 1839. But it didn't become popular until recently, when Afghan refugees picked up the game in Pakistan, forming the Afghanistan Cricket Federation there in 1995. They continued to play cricket on their return to their home country in late 2001.
Like all sports, cricket was originally banned by the Taliban, but it became an exception in 2000 and the Afghanistan Cricket Federation was elected as an affiliate member of the ICC the following year.
The Afghanistan national cricket team's 21-run win over Namibia in Krugersdorp earned them official One Day International (ODI) status in April 2009.
Today, cricket is the the most popular sport in Afghanistan, so much so that even the Taliban, who once banned it, now play it.
But, as Scyld Berry argues, the Afghanistan national team need more than this World Cup to continue their development.
Cricket is so popular in Afghanistan even the Taliban play it, but the national team need more than the World Cup
The war-ravaged nation plays Bangladesh in their first 50-over World Cup match on Wednesday, but they need more than this tournament to continue their development
Howzat?: Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi is bowled out against India Photo: AFP/GETTY IMAGES
By Scyld Berry, Cricket Correspondent
16 Feb 2015
The Telegraph
Afghans playing a game of cricket. Cricket was introduced to Afghanistan by the British in the 19th Century, with British troops having played in Kabul in 1839. But it didn't become popular until recently. It is now the country's No1 sport, with even the Taliban playing it
Watch highlights of Afghanistan's opening match in the 2015 World Cup, against Bangladesh:Afghanistan vs bangladesh 2015 world cup highlights - YouTube
It is the happiest story in cricket, the opposite of what is happening to the West Indies. It is the closest that cricket has come to a fairy story.
Twenty years ago cricket did not exist to all intents in war-ravaged Afghanistan. On Wednesday their national team will play Bangladesh in their first 50-over World Cup match, and have every chance of beating that fragile Test-playing country, as they did in their only previous ODI encounter.
The rest of Afghanistan’s qualifying matches are against Sri Lanka, Scotland, Australia (at Perth of all venues), New Zealand and England. Some progress, that is, since playing their first ever match in 2004 against Oman, and losing it by four wickets.
Enthusiastic hunger. This has been the secret of Afghanistan’s meteoric rise, the like of which cricket has never known. Obstacles which no other country has seen – total devastation by a whole generation of war – have been overcome, thanks to this attitude.
Afghanistan have never played a game at home, and perhaps never will. Yet, without home advantage, they have driven themselves to be the equal of Ireland, Scotland, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
What might they not have achieved in their own stadium at Kabul, Khost or Jalalabad, roared on by their own supporters?
Other countries have state-of-the-art infrastructures. Afghan cricket was born in something less than a stable, in the wasteland of the Kacha Gari refugee camp outside Peshawar - sans equipment, sans money, sans everything except insatiable hunger and enthusiasm.
In its favour it also had a couple of advantages. One was Peshawar itself. In the 1980s cricket took off in the Pathan, or Pushto-speaking community, and the city became a hub of excellent club cricket. Afghans, many born and brought up in refugee camps, were included, taking nothing for granted.
Afghanistan's British coach Andy Moles (third right) talks to the team in Kabul (AP)
A second advantage was that playing with sticks and stones has always been part of Afghan boyhood. All the wars ensured they would remain a physical people, not sedentary playing video games and the like.
The West Indies in the past, as well as Pakistan, have shown that bowling flat out with a taped tennis ball, and hitting it as far as you can with a piece of wood, can be the best way for a cricketer to grow up. It has been the same nursery for Afghanistan’s players. Nutrition, psychology, statistical analysis and all that stuff can be grafted on later.
And because it was born among Afghans, not imposed from above, cricket is acceptable to all, including – and especially – the Taliban, however they may be defined.
“It brings peace to every tribe,” Mohammad Nabi, Afghanistan’s captain, told Tim Wigmore in a wonderful essay in a new book titled Second XI: Cricket in its Outposts.
Hamid Hassan celebrates taking a wicket against India (AFP/GETTY IMAGES)
It is not a contact sport, so Asian sensibilities are not affronted; it is played in long trousers, so Muslim traditions are observed. In his no less wonderful book about Pakistan cricket, Wounded Tiger, Peter Oborne relates how the Afghan army, backed by the West, have sent in heavy machinery to clear ground for the Taliban to play there. A modus vivendi is being built, by cricket.
One of Afghanistan’s strengths is their fine new-ball pair who bowl flat out, Hamid Hassan and the long-haired left-armer Shapoor Zadran. Hassan was the fastest bowler outside the eight main Test teams, clocking 90 mph and reverse-swinging it, until injuries slowed him down a little.
Afghanistan’s second main strength lies in hitting hard, long and fearlessly. Who is the only person to have hit a six off the first ball of his first innings in first-class cricket, and off the first ball of his second innings? Well, it has to be an Afghan, in this case Nabi.
Their Achilles heel has been high-quality spin bowling. But their coach since last year has been Andy Moles, who had as good a technique as anyone in county cricket in the 1980s who did not represent England. He will have done good work if Afghanistan’s batsmen do not try to hit every ball from Bangladesh’s spinners out of Canberra.
Afghanistan have reached the World Twenty20 finals before. They have even played England before in that competition, in Colombo, where their naivety in shot-selection was evident – but also their fearless hitting, in the hands of Gulbardin Naib, who was featured in the best of all cricket films, Out of the Ashes, taking pride in his body building.
Afghanistan captain Moghammad Nabi with Shahpur Zadran (AFP/GETTY IMAGES)
An Afghan Border Police officer playing cricket
Afghans watching their team play Bangladesh in the Cricket World Cup
Because cricket is acceptable to all communities – although some Taliban are touchy if women start playing – overseas donors have funded it. Germany has given 750,000 euros for a cricket stadium in Khost.
Afghans watching their team play Bangladesh in the Cricket World Cup
Their World Cup campaign will presumably end after the qualifying stage of six matches, but the world’s interest must not end there. As they cannot host a game, Afghanistan need tours abroad, to play against English counties and Australian states, to keep their standards rising.
They have already introduced a four-day regional competition, which is essential if standards are to rise in any format. They have a thriving domestic T20 league which is widely watched on local television. But they need those tours and challenges abroad. Otherwise this sudden flowering may go the same way as West Indies seem destined to.
Cricket book
As the world's second most popular sport, cricket is much richer and more diverse than many realise. Globally, passionate players give up holidays, time with loved ones and hard-earned money to achieve the extraordinary and play for their country. Afghanistan, whose captain grew up on a refugee camp, will play in the 2015 World Cup not just in spite of the Taliban but partly because of them. In Ireland, cricket has reawakened after a century of dormancy - but can they achieve their aim of Test cricket and end the player drain to England? These tales resonate far beyond cricket, touching on war, sectarianism and even women's rights. This book explains why an Emirati faced Allan Donald armed only with a sunhat; whether cricket will succeed in China and America; what happened when Kenya reached the World Cup semi-finals, and how cricket in the Netherlands almost collapsed after two bad days.
Cricket so popular in Afghanistan even the Taliban play it, the national team need more than the World Cup to develop their skills - Telegraph
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England aren't the only Test side who have made a bad start to this World Cup. West Indies and Pakistan also have.
Today they played each other at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch with both looking for their first victory of the tournament and it was the West Indies - a team who seemed to be in terminal decline - who prevailed.
The Windies, who suffered a surprise defeat to Ireland in their opening match, crushed Pakistan by 150 runs. Pakistan, chasing 311 to win after the Windies batted first were, at one point, on 1-4.
Jerome Taylor dismissed three Pakistan batsmen for ducks and captain Jason Holder also struck in Pakistan's first 19 balls.
It was the worst start to an innings in World Cup history and Pakistan were all out for 160 in 39 overs, with Taylor taking 3-15.
Cricket World Cup 2015: West Indies beat Pakistan by 150 runs
By Alistair Watkins
BBC Sport
21 February 2015
World Cup Pool B, Hagley Oval, Christchurch
West Indies 310-6 (50 overs): Ramdin 51, Simmons 50, Bravo 49*, Sohail 2-62
Pakistan 160 (39 overs): Akmal 59, Maqsood 50, Taylor 3-15, Russell 3-33
West Indies won by 150 runs
Scorecard.Tables
West Indies reduced Pakistan to 1-4 as they secured a crushing 150-run victory and their first win of the World Cup.
Jerome Taylor dismissed three batsmen for ducks and captain Jason Holder also struck in Pakistan's first 19 balls.
It was the worst start to an innings in World Cup history and Pakistan were all out for 160 in 39 overs in Christchurch, with Taylor taking 3-15.
Andre Russell smashed 42 not out off 13 balls as West Indies hit 115 from the final 10 overs to finish on 310-6.
After such an entertaining display of big hitting at Hagley Oval, few would have expected the drama that followed.
Highs and lows of the World Cup
The previous worst start to an ODI was made by minnows Canada, who were 4-4 against Zimbabwe in Port-of-Spain in 2006.
West Indies' Jason Holder became the youngest captain to win a World Cup game at 23 years and 108 days, beating Shakib Al Hasan who was 23 years and 338 days when he led Bangladesh to victory over Ireland in 2011.
Fast bowler Taylor dismissed Nasir Jamshed with the second ball of the innings, Younus Khan with the sixth and Haris Sohail with the 18th in a devastating spell of three wickets for one run that left Pakistan's hopes in disarray.
Holder added to Pakistan's misery by removing Ahmed Shehzad - the only Pakistan player to have scored a run - next ball.
Russell soon sent Misbah-ul-Haq on his way for seven before Sohaib Maqsood (50) and Umar Akmal (59) stopped the collapse.
Sammy ended their stand of 80 and wickets continued to fall before Pakistan were all out with 11 overs remaining.
"It was a wonderful performance," said West Indies skipper Holder. "We batted really well.
"Russell, Lendl Simmons and Darren Sammy added impetus at the end of the innings, then Taylor was excellent with the new ball."
The defeat leaves 1992 champions Pakistan, who face Zimbabwe on 1 March in their next match, bottom of Pool B after two emphatic defeats.
"It was a tough day, especially after we won the toss," said Pakistan skipper Misbah. "The guys batting up front have been struggling a bit, and that made it very difficult for us, especially on a pitch like that, with the ball seaming a bit. We just have to pick ourselves up."
West Indies will go into their next game on Tuesday, also against Zimbabwe, on a high having eradicated the memories of their humiliating defeat by Ireland.
How's stat?!
The average runs scored in the last 10 overs by teams batting first in this World Cup to date is 103.62.
Denesh Ramdin's 51 is the lowest individual score in a team total over 300 in an ODI.
The only downside to their victory was an injury to Darren Bravo, who had to retire hurt on 49 after tearing a hamstring. Windies management later revealed Bravo will stay with the team, but is likely to miss their next game against Zimbabwe on Tuesday.
Denesh Ramdin (51) and Lendl Simmons (50) picked up the pace after Bravo was helped off, with Simmons striking his team's first six in the 37th over.
Ramdin departed at the end of the 40th over with the score 195-4 but Simmons and Sammy (30) pressed the accelerator, helped by Mohammed Irfan dropping a fifth catch of the innings.
Russell only started his incredible innings in the 48th over but hit his first ball for four and fired three massive sixes in the next over.
Another mighty six came in the final over to bring up the 300 and, although Simmons was run out off the final ball, West Indies had seized the initiative.
Darren Bravo was hit by a throw from the field before injuring his left leg
Shahid Afridi drops a catch - one of five that Pakistan failed to take
Andre Russell made an aggressive unbeaten 42 and took three wickets
Taylor (left) and Holder demolished Pakistan's top-order batting
BBC Sport - Cricket World Cup 2015: West Indies beat Pakistan by 150 runs
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England have finally got their first win of this World Cup after they trounced Scotland in a Battle of Britain in Christchurch earlier today.
Moeen Ali's 128 helped England to a total of 303-8 after their 50 overs - the first time they have surpassed 300 in this tournament - with Bell scoring 54 and Davey taking 4-68.
In reply, Coetzer top-scored with 71 for the Scots, but they weren't able to get anywhere near the 304 runs they needed for victory, being bowled out for 184.
England's 119-run victory is their largest victory margin by runs in a World Cup match since they beat East Africa by 196 runs at Birmingham in 1975.
Cricket World Cup 2015: Moeen Ali-inspired England beat Scotland
By Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Christchurch
23 February 2015
World Cup, Pool A, Christchurch:
England 303-8 (50 overs): Moeen 128, Bell 54, Davey 4-68, Berrington 1-43
Scotland 184 (42.2 overs): Coetzer 71, Mommsen 26, Finn 3-26, Woakes 2-25
England won by 119 runs
Scorecard
Moeen Ali's century led England to a 119-run victory over Scotland and a first win of the World Cup.
Moeen scored 128 and shared 172 for the first wicket with the stuttering Ian Bell, who contributed 54.
But, when they were parted, England could only manage 131 runs in the final 20 overs as they posted 303-8.
Still, it was too many for Scotland, who never threatened an upset, despite Kyle Coetzer's 71, and were bowled out for 184, with Steven Finn taking 3-26.
Following heavy defeats against co-hosts Australia and New Zealand, the success in Christchurch provides England with a much-needed morale boost.
However, little can be learned as to whether England are in better shape for the sterner tests to come - starting with Sri Lanka in Wellington on Sunday - given the nature of the opposition.
Former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott
"England will wake up tomorrow relieved. They have played below par, but now they will feel they are in with a chance. All they have to do is win a couple more matches and get through to the quarter-finals. I think they have a good chance of beating Sri Lanka as I don't think they are the force they used to be. Scotland need to improve their bowling. They can't bowl at medium pace like that. It is not good enough at this level."
Scotland are the lowest-ranked one-day international side in Pool A and slip to the bottom of the table following the three-wicket defeat by New Zealand in their opening game.
Preston Mommsen's side face Afghanistan on Thursday, likely to be their best chance for success in the tournament.
Still, there were times when they troubled England. An attack which began poorly improved to take eight wickets in the final 20 overs and ensure that Eoin Morgan's men did not fully capitalise on a platform of 172-0 after the first 30.
At one point around the beginning of the batting powerplay, England lost three wickets for two runs in three overs, Moeen being caught on the leg-side boundary from the off-spin of Majid Haq, Gary Ballance continuing his poor run by chopping on to his own stumps and Joe Root edging behind.
Before that, Moeen, who gave a half-chance to cover on only seven, scored freely, particularly through fierce pull shots and lofts down the ground.
His 107-ball knock included five sixes and 12 fours and his second ODI century is also his highest score.
Test Match Special statistician Andrew Samson
This is England's largest victory margin by runs in a WC match since they beat East Africa by 196 runs at Birmingham in 1975.
In contrast, Bell never looked fluent, scratching his way to a half-century in an 85-ball innings that contained only two fours.
It was Bell's wicket, caught at extra cover off the medium pace of Richie Berrington, that began England's slide, a decline halted by the late impetus of Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler.
Patient at first, Morgan accelerated to a 42-ball 46, including two sixes, while Buttler contributed an inventive 24 from 14 deliveries.
If the win was most welcome for England, then next will be the runs scored by Morgan, who had managed only 19 in his previous five innings.
The target of 304 always seemed beyond Scotland and they never came close to pulling off a first win against a Test-playing side as they slumped to a 10th defeat in as many World Cup matches - joining the Netherlands with the worst record in the tournament's history.
Grand opening
The opening stand of 172 by Moeen Ali and Ian Bell is England's highest ever World Cup opening stand. England's record opening partnership in all ODIs is 200, set by Marcus Trescothick and Vikram Solanki against South Africa in 2003. That is some way short of the all-time World Cup opening stand of 282, shared between Sri Lankan duo Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan in a Group A game in Pallekele in 2011.
England put in comfortably their best bowling performance of the tournament, admittedly under little pressure, picking up wickets at regular intervals.
Finn, who conceded 49 runs in two overs against New Zealand, was the pick of the seamers, while Moeen (2-47) had Coetzer caught at long-on to end his resistance for 71.
Coetzer had earlier added 60 with Mommsen, who swept Root to deep square leg to spark the collapse that accelerated the end of the contest.
Six Scotland players were dismissed for singles figures as they lost their final seven wickets for 70 runs.
There were two wickets apiece for James Anderson and Chris Woakes, ensuring England's margin of victory was extremely comfortable.
But, the fact it could have been greater suggests there is still plenty of room for improvement.
The opening stand of 172 by Moeen Ali and Ian Bell is the biggest of the 2015 World Cup so far
Eoin Morgan scored 46 from 42 balls, having scored a total of 19 in his previous five innings
Kyle Coetzer scored his fifth ODI half-century
Steven Finn came back from strongly from his 0-49 from two overs against New Zealand
BBC Sport - Cricket World Cup 2015: Moeen Ali-inspired England beat Scotland
Cricket World Cup 2015: Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan to avoid shock
By Alistair Watkins
BBC Sport
22 February 2015
World Cup Pool A, University Oval, Dunedin:
Afghanistan 232 (49.4 overs): Stanikzai 54, Malinga 3-41, Mathews 3-41
Sri Lanka 236-6 (48.2overs): Jayawardene 100, Hassan 3-45
Sri Lanka won by four wickets
Scorecard. Tables.
Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene was on 43 when his bat broke into two pieces while facing a Shapoor Zadran delivery. He went on to score 100
Mahela Jayawardene hit his 19th one-day international century to help Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by four wickets and avoid a major World Cup upset.
Tournament debutants Afghanistan sensed a shock after reducing Sri Lanka to 2-2 and then 18-3 in Pool A in Dunedin.
But Jayawardene (100) put on 126 with captain Angelo Mathews (44) and although both departed, Sri Lanka held on to win with 10 balls left.
Asghar Stanikzai with 54 was the top scorer in Afghanistan's 232 all out.
The win was Sri Lanka's first of the tournament following their heavy defeat by New Zealand in the opening match, while Afghanistan remain without a point but above England and Scotland - who meet on Monday - on run rate.
"We really need to raise our standards to compete against the top teams," said Mathews, whose side face Bangladesh on Thursday, with further group fixtures to come against Australia, England and Scotland.
How's stat?
This was just the second time in ODIs that both openers have made first-ball ducks. Zimbabwe v West Indies at Georgetown in 2006 was the first and Piet Rinke and Terry Duffin the batsmen.
Mahela Jayawardene is now joint third on the all-time list of most World Cup hundreds. Sachin Tendulkar is top with six, Ricky Ponting second with five and then Sourav Ganguly, Mark Waugh and Jayawardene with four.
"I am feeling relieved at the moment but I thought we came back well. It was a see-saw kind of game. They started off well and then we pulled it back in the end. I knew I had to stay out there with Mahela to get some kind of stand going."
The 1996 champions made a terrible start to their run chase at the University Oval, losing both openers to first-ball ducks.
Dawlat Zadran trapped Lahiru Thirimanne leg before wicket off the first ball of the Sri Lanka reply and fellow pace bowler Shapoor Zadran had Tillakaratne Dilshan caught behind to leave the Test-playing side in a state of shock.
Hamid Hassan then bowled veteran Kumar Sangakkara for seven, leaving Sri Lanka 18-3, and celebrated with a cartwheel and an exuberant wave to the crowd.
Hassan saw off Dimuth Karunaratne for 23, and that brought the experienced pair of Jayawardene and Mathews together with the score 51-4 after 12 overs.
Jayawardene played with the calmness and authority you would expect from a man playing his 443rd one-day international.
The pair looked like they would complete victory on their own but Mathews was run out in the 41st over attempting a quick single.
Jayawardene brought up his fourth World Cup century two balls later but Hassan revived Afghanistan's hopes by dismissing the 37-year-old just three balls later.
However, Thisara Perera, with an aggressive 47 not out from 26 balls, and Jeevan Mendis (nine not out) came together in a stand of 58 to finish off the job.
How's stat?
Hamid Hassan, playing his 26th match, is the first Afghanistan player to take 50 ODI wickets. He is the joint sixth quickest overall in a list led by Ajantha Mendis of Sri Lanka who took 19 matches.
Afghanistan's innings was the fifth time the top-eight batsmen in the order have all reached double figures in a World Cup innings.
The Afghanistan innings, which ended with two balls remaining in the final over, was built around an 88-run third-wicket partnership between Stanikzai and Samiullah Shenwari (38 ).
It was not until Stanikzai was dismissed by Rangana Herath with Afghanistan 128-3 in the 28th over, that Sri Lanka started to get a grip on the game.
That marked the start of a collapse that saw Afghanistan lose four wickets for 47 runs in 11 overs, with Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga and Mathews both finishing with 3-41.
It was Afghanistan's fifth-highest score against a Test-playing nation but their total could have been higher but for poor shot selection.
Captain Mohammad Nabi admitted his team's total was always going to be hard to defend.
"I felt we were short by 30-40 runs. We bowled really well in the first 10-15 overs, and we put pressure on them in the end. We kept them to a tight game, so we are pleased by that," said Nabi, whose team next play Scotland in Dunedin on Thursday.
Hassan celebrated dismissing Kumar Sangakkara in style
Afghanistan celebrate Tillakaratne Dilshan being caught by wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai
Asghar Stanikzai was the top scorer for Afghanistan with an innings of 54 from 57 balls
Dawlat Zadran was one of two wickets to fall to Angelo Mathews in the 49th over of Afghanistan's innings
BBC Sport - Cricket World Cup 2015: Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan to avoid shock
Moeen Ali's 128 helped England to a total of 303-8 after their 50 overs - the first time they have surpassed 300 in this tournament - with Bell scoring 54 and Davey taking 4-68.
In reply, Coetzer top-scored with 71 for the Scots, but they weren't able to get anywhere near the 304 runs they needed for victory, being bowled out for 184.
England's 119-run victory is their largest victory margin by runs in a World Cup match since they beat East Africa by 196 runs at Birmingham in 1975.
Cricket World Cup 2015: Moeen Ali-inspired England beat Scotland
By Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Christchurch
23 February 2015
World Cup, Pool A, Christchurch:
England 303-8 (50 overs): Moeen 128, Bell 54, Davey 4-68, Berrington 1-43
Scotland 184 (42.2 overs): Coetzer 71, Mommsen 26, Finn 3-26, Woakes 2-25
England won by 119 runs
Scorecard
Moeen Ali's century led England to a 119-run victory over Scotland and a first win of the World Cup.
Moeen scored 128 and shared 172 for the first wicket with the stuttering Ian Bell, who contributed 54.
But, when they were parted, England could only manage 131 runs in the final 20 overs as they posted 303-8.
Still, it was too many for Scotland, who never threatened an upset, despite Kyle Coetzer's 71, and were bowled out for 184, with Steven Finn taking 3-26.
Following heavy defeats against co-hosts Australia and New Zealand, the success in Christchurch provides England with a much-needed morale boost.
However, little can be learned as to whether England are in better shape for the sterner tests to come - starting with Sri Lanka in Wellington on Sunday - given the nature of the opposition.
Former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott
"England will wake up tomorrow relieved. They have played below par, but now they will feel they are in with a chance. All they have to do is win a couple more matches and get through to the quarter-finals. I think they have a good chance of beating Sri Lanka as I don't think they are the force they used to be. Scotland need to improve their bowling. They can't bowl at medium pace like that. It is not good enough at this level."
Scotland are the lowest-ranked one-day international side in Pool A and slip to the bottom of the table following the three-wicket defeat by New Zealand in their opening game.
Preston Mommsen's side face Afghanistan on Thursday, likely to be their best chance for success in the tournament.
Still, there were times when they troubled England. An attack which began poorly improved to take eight wickets in the final 20 overs and ensure that Eoin Morgan's men did not fully capitalise on a platform of 172-0 after the first 30.
At one point around the beginning of the batting powerplay, England lost three wickets for two runs in three overs, Moeen being caught on the leg-side boundary from the off-spin of Majid Haq, Gary Ballance continuing his poor run by chopping on to his own stumps and Joe Root edging behind.
Before that, Moeen, who gave a half-chance to cover on only seven, scored freely, particularly through fierce pull shots and lofts down the ground.
His 107-ball knock included five sixes and 12 fours and his second ODI century is also his highest score.
Test Match Special statistician Andrew Samson
This is England's largest victory margin by runs in a WC match since they beat East Africa by 196 runs at Birmingham in 1975.
In contrast, Bell never looked fluent, scratching his way to a half-century in an 85-ball innings that contained only two fours.
It was Bell's wicket, caught at extra cover off the medium pace of Richie Berrington, that began England's slide, a decline halted by the late impetus of Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler.
Patient at first, Morgan accelerated to a 42-ball 46, including two sixes, while Buttler contributed an inventive 24 from 14 deliveries.
If the win was most welcome for England, then next will be the runs scored by Morgan, who had managed only 19 in his previous five innings.
The target of 304 always seemed beyond Scotland and they never came close to pulling off a first win against a Test-playing side as they slumped to a 10th defeat in as many World Cup matches - joining the Netherlands with the worst record in the tournament's history.
Grand opening
The opening stand of 172 by Moeen Ali and Ian Bell is England's highest ever World Cup opening stand. England's record opening partnership in all ODIs is 200, set by Marcus Trescothick and Vikram Solanki against South Africa in 2003. That is some way short of the all-time World Cup opening stand of 282, shared between Sri Lankan duo Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan in a Group A game in Pallekele in 2011.
England put in comfortably their best bowling performance of the tournament, admittedly under little pressure, picking up wickets at regular intervals.
Finn, who conceded 49 runs in two overs against New Zealand, was the pick of the seamers, while Moeen (2-47) had Coetzer caught at long-on to end his resistance for 71.
Coetzer had earlier added 60 with Mommsen, who swept Root to deep square leg to spark the collapse that accelerated the end of the contest.
Six Scotland players were dismissed for singles figures as they lost their final seven wickets for 70 runs.
There were two wickets apiece for James Anderson and Chris Woakes, ensuring England's margin of victory was extremely comfortable.
But, the fact it could have been greater suggests there is still plenty of room for improvement.
The opening stand of 172 by Moeen Ali and Ian Bell is the biggest of the 2015 World Cup so far
Eoin Morgan scored 46 from 42 balls, having scored a total of 19 in his previous five innings
Kyle Coetzer scored his fifth ODI half-century
Steven Finn came back from strongly from his 0-49 from two overs against New Zealand
BBC Sport - Cricket World Cup 2015: Moeen Ali-inspired England beat Scotland
Cricket World Cup 2015: Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan to avoid shock
By Alistair Watkins
BBC Sport
22 February 2015
World Cup Pool A, University Oval, Dunedin:
Afghanistan 232 (49.4 overs): Stanikzai 54, Malinga 3-41, Mathews 3-41
Sri Lanka 236-6 (48.2overs): Jayawardene 100, Hassan 3-45
Sri Lanka won by four wickets
Scorecard. Tables.
Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene was on 43 when his bat broke into two pieces while facing a Shapoor Zadran delivery. He went on to score 100
Mahela Jayawardene hit his 19th one-day international century to help Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by four wickets and avoid a major World Cup upset.
Tournament debutants Afghanistan sensed a shock after reducing Sri Lanka to 2-2 and then 18-3 in Pool A in Dunedin.
But Jayawardene (100) put on 126 with captain Angelo Mathews (44) and although both departed, Sri Lanka held on to win with 10 balls left.
Asghar Stanikzai with 54 was the top scorer in Afghanistan's 232 all out.
The win was Sri Lanka's first of the tournament following their heavy defeat by New Zealand in the opening match, while Afghanistan remain without a point but above England and Scotland - who meet on Monday - on run rate.
"We really need to raise our standards to compete against the top teams," said Mathews, whose side face Bangladesh on Thursday, with further group fixtures to come against Australia, England and Scotland.
How's stat?
This was just the second time in ODIs that both openers have made first-ball ducks. Zimbabwe v West Indies at Georgetown in 2006 was the first and Piet Rinke and Terry Duffin the batsmen.
Mahela Jayawardene is now joint third on the all-time list of most World Cup hundreds. Sachin Tendulkar is top with six, Ricky Ponting second with five and then Sourav Ganguly, Mark Waugh and Jayawardene with four.
"I am feeling relieved at the moment but I thought we came back well. It was a see-saw kind of game. They started off well and then we pulled it back in the end. I knew I had to stay out there with Mahela to get some kind of stand going."
The 1996 champions made a terrible start to their run chase at the University Oval, losing both openers to first-ball ducks.
Dawlat Zadran trapped Lahiru Thirimanne leg before wicket off the first ball of the Sri Lanka reply and fellow pace bowler Shapoor Zadran had Tillakaratne Dilshan caught behind to leave the Test-playing side in a state of shock.
Hamid Hassan then bowled veteran Kumar Sangakkara for seven, leaving Sri Lanka 18-3, and celebrated with a cartwheel and an exuberant wave to the crowd.
Hassan saw off Dimuth Karunaratne for 23, and that brought the experienced pair of Jayawardene and Mathews together with the score 51-4 after 12 overs.
Jayawardene played with the calmness and authority you would expect from a man playing his 443rd one-day international.
The pair looked like they would complete victory on their own but Mathews was run out in the 41st over attempting a quick single.
Jayawardene brought up his fourth World Cup century two balls later but Hassan revived Afghanistan's hopes by dismissing the 37-year-old just three balls later.
However, Thisara Perera, with an aggressive 47 not out from 26 balls, and Jeevan Mendis (nine not out) came together in a stand of 58 to finish off the job.
How's stat?
Hamid Hassan, playing his 26th match, is the first Afghanistan player to take 50 ODI wickets. He is the joint sixth quickest overall in a list led by Ajantha Mendis of Sri Lanka who took 19 matches.
Afghanistan's innings was the fifth time the top-eight batsmen in the order have all reached double figures in a World Cup innings.
The Afghanistan innings, which ended with two balls remaining in the final over, was built around an 88-run third-wicket partnership between Stanikzai and Samiullah Shenwari (38 ).
It was not until Stanikzai was dismissed by Rangana Herath with Afghanistan 128-3 in the 28th over, that Sri Lanka started to get a grip on the game.
That marked the start of a collapse that saw Afghanistan lose four wickets for 47 runs in 11 overs, with Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga and Mathews both finishing with 3-41.
It was Afghanistan's fifth-highest score against a Test-playing nation but their total could have been higher but for poor shot selection.
Captain Mohammad Nabi admitted his team's total was always going to be hard to defend.
"I felt we were short by 30-40 runs. We bowled really well in the first 10-15 overs, and we put pressure on them in the end. We kept them to a tight game, so we are pleased by that," said Nabi, whose team next play Scotland in Dunedin on Thursday.
Hassan celebrated dismissing Kumar Sangakkara in style
Afghanistan celebrate Tillakaratne Dilshan being caught by wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai
Asghar Stanikzai was the top scorer for Afghanistan with an innings of 54 from 57 balls
Dawlat Zadran was one of two wickets to fall to Angelo Mathews in the 49th over of Afghanistan's innings
BBC Sport - Cricket World Cup 2015: Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan to avoid shock
Cricket World Cup 2015: India crush South Africa in Melbourne
By Justin Goulding
BBC Sport
22 February 2015
World Cup Pool B, Melbourne Cricket Ground
India 307-7 (50 overs): Dhawan 137, Rahane 79, Morkel 2-59
South Africa 177 (40.2 overs): Du Plessis 55, Ashwin 3-41, Shami 2-30
India won by 130 runs
Scorecard.Tables.
Shikhar Dhawan hit a superb century as defending champions India maintained their unbeaten start to the World Cup with a 130-run win over South Africa.
India's 307-7 was built around Dhawan's 137, while Ajinkya Rahane made 79 off 60 balls and Virat Kohli 46.
South Africa were bowled out for 177 with 9.4 overs unused as Faf du Plessis's departure for 55 sparked a collapse of seven wickets for 44 runs.
The defeat was South Africa's heaviest in World Cup history.
India, who remain top of Pool B with two wins from two games, face the United Arab Emirates in Perth on Sunday, when victory will all but secure their place in the quarter-finals.
Fifth-placed South Africa play West Indies in Sydney on Friday, but the manner in which they subsided on a blameless surface cast doubts on their tag as one of the pre-tournament favourites.
Ex-England spinner Graeme Swann on Test Match Special
"India look like the team from this group who can go on and challenge New Zealand and Australia. Shikhar Dhawan was magnificent but so was Ajinkya Rahane - he's a small man in stature but he just smashed it."
Dhawan's composed innings was typical of a measured rather than explosive batting display, and two run-outs in a crucial phase of the innings were reward for the pressure India created with an accomplished performance in the field.
"South Africa are such a good side, so I think that makes it an even more satisfying win," said India captain MS Dhoni, whose side beat Pakistan in their opening game.
"It was a back-to-back good performance from both the bowling and batting unit. A couple of run-outs made things even more impressive."
Dropped on 53 by Hashim Amla and fortunate not to be run out for 55, left-hander Dhawan combined fluent drives with meaty pulls in a 146-ball innings which featured 16 fours and two sixes.
Having lost Rohit Sharma cheaply after India won the toss, he added 127 with Kohli for the second wicket and 125 in 16 thrilling overs with Rahane for the third.
Dhawan eventually fell to a top-edged pull off Wayne Parnell, whose treatment late in the innings left him nursing figures of 1-85 off nine overs.
Ex-South Africa batsman Barry Richards on Test Match Special
"The two things that always worry me about India cricket are running between the wickets and their ability to defend a target up front with their opening bowlers. They've dispelled both of those myths tonight. Their running was exceptional and their out-fielding was incredible."
The Proteas' options were limited by the absence of seamer Vernon Philander, who bowled only four overs because of a hamstring injury and will have a scan on Monday.
No South Africa batsman came close to playing with the composure shown by Dhawan as India's fielders maintained the pressure created by Mohammed Shami's early removal of Quinton de Kock.
Mohit Sharma had Hashim Amla taken at long leg and Du Plessis drilled the first ball of his second spell to mid-off, either side of Mohit's most important contribution, running out South Africa captain AB de Villiers for 30 with a magnificent flat throw from deep point.
Smart work from Umesh Yadav and Dhoni accounted for the dangerous David Miller, and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin hastened South Africa's collapse to finish with 3-41.
South Africa's previous heaviest World Cup defeat was by 83 runs to Australia in Basseterre in 2007.
"The run-outs cost us dearly, coming just when we got started with the bat in hand. That's where we lost the game," said De Villiers.
"It was not a good enough performance as a batting unit and now we have to regroup."
Shikhar Dhawan (right) congratulates Ajinkya Rahane on one of his three sixes
India legend Sachin Tendulkar was among a passionate India crowd at the MCG
MS Dhoni completes the run-out of David Miller for 22, triggering the bails to flash
Ravichandran Ashwin removes Vernon Philander, the second of his three wickets
BBC Sport - Cricket World Cup 2015: India crush South Africa in Melbourne
By Justin Goulding
BBC Sport
22 February 2015
World Cup Pool B, Melbourne Cricket Ground
India 307-7 (50 overs): Dhawan 137, Rahane 79, Morkel 2-59
South Africa 177 (40.2 overs): Du Plessis 55, Ashwin 3-41, Shami 2-30
India won by 130 runs
Scorecard.Tables.
Shikhar Dhawan hit a superb century as defending champions India maintained their unbeaten start to the World Cup with a 130-run win over South Africa.
India's 307-7 was built around Dhawan's 137, while Ajinkya Rahane made 79 off 60 balls and Virat Kohli 46.
South Africa were bowled out for 177 with 9.4 overs unused as Faf du Plessis's departure for 55 sparked a collapse of seven wickets for 44 runs.
The defeat was South Africa's heaviest in World Cup history.
India, who remain top of Pool B with two wins from two games, face the United Arab Emirates in Perth on Sunday, when victory will all but secure their place in the quarter-finals.
Fifth-placed South Africa play West Indies in Sydney on Friday, but the manner in which they subsided on a blameless surface cast doubts on their tag as one of the pre-tournament favourites.
Ex-England spinner Graeme Swann on Test Match Special
"India look like the team from this group who can go on and challenge New Zealand and Australia. Shikhar Dhawan was magnificent but so was Ajinkya Rahane - he's a small man in stature but he just smashed it."
Dhawan's composed innings was typical of a measured rather than explosive batting display, and two run-outs in a crucial phase of the innings were reward for the pressure India created with an accomplished performance in the field.
"South Africa are such a good side, so I think that makes it an even more satisfying win," said India captain MS Dhoni, whose side beat Pakistan in their opening game.
"It was a back-to-back good performance from both the bowling and batting unit. A couple of run-outs made things even more impressive."
Dropped on 53 by Hashim Amla and fortunate not to be run out for 55, left-hander Dhawan combined fluent drives with meaty pulls in a 146-ball innings which featured 16 fours and two sixes.
Having lost Rohit Sharma cheaply after India won the toss, he added 127 with Kohli for the second wicket and 125 in 16 thrilling overs with Rahane for the third.
Dhawan eventually fell to a top-edged pull off Wayne Parnell, whose treatment late in the innings left him nursing figures of 1-85 off nine overs.
Ex-South Africa batsman Barry Richards on Test Match Special
"The two things that always worry me about India cricket are running between the wickets and their ability to defend a target up front with their opening bowlers. They've dispelled both of those myths tonight. Their running was exceptional and their out-fielding was incredible."
The Proteas' options were limited by the absence of seamer Vernon Philander, who bowled only four overs because of a hamstring injury and will have a scan on Monday.
No South Africa batsman came close to playing with the composure shown by Dhawan as India's fielders maintained the pressure created by Mohammed Shami's early removal of Quinton de Kock.
Mohit Sharma had Hashim Amla taken at long leg and Du Plessis drilled the first ball of his second spell to mid-off, either side of Mohit's most important contribution, running out South Africa captain AB de Villiers for 30 with a magnificent flat throw from deep point.
Smart work from Umesh Yadav and Dhoni accounted for the dangerous David Miller, and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin hastened South Africa's collapse to finish with 3-41.
South Africa's previous heaviest World Cup defeat was by 83 runs to Australia in Basseterre in 2007.
"The run-outs cost us dearly, coming just when we got started with the bat in hand. That's where we lost the game," said De Villiers.
"It was not a good enough performance as a batting unit and now we have to regroup."
Shikhar Dhawan (right) congratulates Ajinkya Rahane on one of his three sixes
India legend Sachin Tendulkar was among a passionate India crowd at the MCG
MS Dhoni completes the run-out of David Miller for 22, triggering the bails to flash
Ravichandran Ashwin removes Vernon Philander, the second of his three wickets
BBC Sport - Cricket World Cup 2015: India crush South Africa in Melbourne
Chris Gayle hit the first double century in World Cup history as West Indies beat Zimbabwe by 73 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis method.
The left-hander smashed 215 off 147 balls, including 16 sixes and 10 fours, in West Indies' 372-2 in Canberra.
He added an ODI record 372 for the second wicket with Marlon Samuels, who made a relatively sedate 133 not out.
Chasing a rain-revised target of 363 off 48 overs, Zimbabwe mustered 289 as Gayle took two wickets and a catch.
Cricket World Cup 2015: Chris Gayle 215 sets up West Indies win
By Justin Goulding
BBC Sport
24 February 2015
World Cup, Pool B, Canberra:
West Indies 372-2 (50 overs): Gayle 215, Samuels 133*, Masakadza 1-39
Zimbabwe 289 (44.3 overs): Williams 76, Ervine 52, Taylor 3-38, Holder 3-48
West Indies won by 73 runs (D/L method)
Scorecard. Tables
Chris Gayle's 215 was the first double century in World Cup history
Chris Gayle hit the first double century in World Cup history as West Indies beat Zimbabwe by 73 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis method.
The left-hander smashed 215 off 147 balls, including 16 sixes and 10 fours, in West Indies' 372-2 in Canberra.
He added an ODI record 372 for the second wicket with Marlon Samuels, who made a relatively sedate 133 not out.
Chasing a rain-revised target of 363 off 48 overs, Zimbabwe mustered 289 as Gayle took two wickets and a catch.
Having lost their opening game to Ireland, West Indies' win took them level on points with India at the top of Pool B, going into their meeting with South Africa on Friday.
Although Zimbabwe's bowlers suffered heavily at the hands of Gayle, their batsmen deserve credit for a respectable run chase that featured Sean Williams's 76 and 52 for Craig Ervine.
Jerome Taylor claimed 3-38 and West Indies captain Jason Holder 3-48, but their figures were footnotes in a game that will be remembered for Gayle's savage hitting.
Fortunate to survive an lbw review off his first delivery after opening partner Dwayne Smith fell to the second ball of the innings, Gayle batted with uncharacteristic patience in bringing up a 105-ball century.
However, his next hundred spanned only 33 deliveries - and his fourth fifty a mere 12 - as he and Samuels flayed 152 off the final 10 overs.
"It was a fantastic day from a personal point of view," said Gayle.
"When I got past 100, I knew I wanted it to be a double hundred, so I'm glad I got the chance to deliver it."
Samuels's occasionally scratchy century went almost unnoticed as Gayle repeatedly cleared the boundary, swinging disdainfully over mid-wicket and driving powerfully straight.
He eventually fell off the last ball of the innings, having equalled the record of 16 sixes in an ODI innings shared by Rohit Sharma and AB de Villiers.
"Chris is an outstanding player," said West Indies captain Jason Holder. "It's great to have him back in form and hopefully he can carry it through the tournament."
Despite losing Regis Chakabva and Hamilton Masakadza inside the first five overs of their reply, Zimbabwe scored at almost seven runs an over.
The resourceful Williams was the chief architect of a chase that unravelled only after he top-edged a pull off Holder.
Part-time off-spinner Gayle bowled Ervine round his legs six overs later to reduce Zimbabwe to 226-6 and remove any doubt over the outcome of the contest.
He finished with 2-35 and capped a remarkable day with an exaggerated dive and roll after catching Elton Chigumbura at extra cover off Taylor.
Zimbabwe skipper Chigumbura said: "There is a lot of work to be done. We were unlucky with the Gayle lbw but he played a massive innings today and it made a big difference."
Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels added 372 during a partnership spanning all but two balls of the innings
Tinashe Panyangara conceded 22 off his final over as he recorded figures of 9-0-82-1
Chris Gayle has twice scored 150 and taken two wickets against Zimbabwe
Sean Williams has now made eight scores over 70 without reaching 80
BBC Sport - Cricket World Cup 2015: Chris Gayle 215 sets up West Indies win
The left-hander smashed 215 off 147 balls, including 16 sixes and 10 fours, in West Indies' 372-2 in Canberra.
He added an ODI record 372 for the second wicket with Marlon Samuels, who made a relatively sedate 133 not out.
Chasing a rain-revised target of 363 off 48 overs, Zimbabwe mustered 289 as Gayle took two wickets and a catch.
Cricket World Cup 2015: Chris Gayle 215 sets up West Indies win
By Justin Goulding
BBC Sport
24 February 2015
World Cup, Pool B, Canberra:
West Indies 372-2 (50 overs): Gayle 215, Samuels 133*, Masakadza 1-39
Zimbabwe 289 (44.3 overs): Williams 76, Ervine 52, Taylor 3-38, Holder 3-48
West Indies won by 73 runs (D/L method)
Scorecard. Tables
Chris Gayle's 215 was the first double century in World Cup history
Chris Gayle hit the first double century in World Cup history as West Indies beat Zimbabwe by 73 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis method.
The left-hander smashed 215 off 147 balls, including 16 sixes and 10 fours, in West Indies' 372-2 in Canberra.
He added an ODI record 372 for the second wicket with Marlon Samuels, who made a relatively sedate 133 not out.
Chasing a rain-revised target of 363 off 48 overs, Zimbabwe mustered 289 as Gayle took two wickets and a catch.
Having lost their opening game to Ireland, West Indies' win took them level on points with India at the top of Pool B, going into their meeting with South Africa on Friday.
Although Zimbabwe's bowlers suffered heavily at the hands of Gayle, their batsmen deserve credit for a respectable run chase that featured Sean Williams's 76 and 52 for Craig Ervine.
Jerome Taylor claimed 3-38 and West Indies captain Jason Holder 3-48, but their figures were footnotes in a game that will be remembered for Gayle's savage hitting.
Fortunate to survive an lbw review off his first delivery after opening partner Dwayne Smith fell to the second ball of the innings, Gayle batted with uncharacteristic patience in bringing up a 105-ball century.
However, his next hundred spanned only 33 deliveries - and his fourth fifty a mere 12 - as he and Samuels flayed 152 off the final 10 overs.
"It was a fantastic day from a personal point of view," said Gayle.
"When I got past 100, I knew I wanted it to be a double hundred, so I'm glad I got the chance to deliver it."
Samuels's occasionally scratchy century went almost unnoticed as Gayle repeatedly cleared the boundary, swinging disdainfully over mid-wicket and driving powerfully straight.
He eventually fell off the last ball of the innings, having equalled the record of 16 sixes in an ODI innings shared by Rohit Sharma and AB de Villiers.
"Chris is an outstanding player," said West Indies captain Jason Holder. "It's great to have him back in form and hopefully he can carry it through the tournament."
Despite losing Regis Chakabva and Hamilton Masakadza inside the first five overs of their reply, Zimbabwe scored at almost seven runs an over.
The resourceful Williams was the chief architect of a chase that unravelled only after he top-edged a pull off Holder.
Part-time off-spinner Gayle bowled Ervine round his legs six overs later to reduce Zimbabwe to 226-6 and remove any doubt over the outcome of the contest.
He finished with 2-35 and capped a remarkable day with an exaggerated dive and roll after catching Elton Chigumbura at extra cover off Taylor.
Zimbabwe skipper Chigumbura said: "There is a lot of work to be done. We were unlucky with the Gayle lbw but he played a massive innings today and it made a big difference."
Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels added 372 during a partnership spanning all but two balls of the innings
Tinashe Panyangara conceded 22 off his final over as he recorded figures of 9-0-82-1
Chris Gayle has twice scored 150 and taken two wickets against Zimbabwe
Sean Williams has now made eight scores over 70 without reaching 80
BBC Sport - Cricket World Cup 2015: Chris Gayle 215 sets up West Indies win
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Cricket World Cup 2015: Ireland edge out UAE in Pool B
By Nick Royle
BBC Sport
25 February 2015
World Cup, Pool B, Brisbane:
UAE 278-9 (50 overs): Shaiman 106, Javed 42, Stirling 2-27
Ireland 279-8 (49.2 overs): Wilson 80, O'Brien 50, Javed 3-60
Ireland won by two wickets
Scorecard. Tables
Gary Wilson hit 80 to help Ireland to a nervy two-wicket World Cup win over the United Arab Emirates in Brisbane.
Shaiman Anwar scored a maiden ODI century as the UAE part-timers hit 147 from their last 15 overs to post 278-9.
They then pegged Ireland back to 97-4, but Kevin O'Brien (50) and Wilson put on 72 from 36 balls for the sixth wicket to help rebuild the innings.
Ireland, who have two wins from their opening two Pool B games, next face South Africa in Canberra on 3 March.
O'Brien and Wilson were both dismissed as William Porterfield's side closed in on the target, but Brisbane-born Alex Cusack and off-spinner George Dockrell kept their nerve to lead Ireland to victory with just four balls to spare.
Former England spinner Graeme Swann
"Ireland have put their fans through it today. I don't think I could have been an Ireland fan for the last 10 minutes. I now know why my dad refused to watch me play cricket in the last 10 years."
World cricket's governing body the ICC has decided to limit the next World Cup to 10 teams, but two associate sides who may struggle to qualify for the event in England in 2019 arguably played out the most exciting match of the tournament so far, one that was finally settled in the 100th and final over after 557 runs and 17 wickets.
The game ebbed and flowed, with Ireland reducing the UAE to 131-6 in the 35th over, before Shaiman (106 from 83 balls) and Amjad Javed (42 from 35 balls) put on a World Cup record seventh-wicket stand of 107 to set up a challenging total on a turning wicket.
Ireland struggled for any fluency in their reply, until the more expansively minded O'Brien joined Wilson at the wicket in the 39th over with 108 runs still needed.
Are the 'minnows' keeping the World Cup alive?
If Ireland and the UAE produced the most exciting finish of the World Cup so far, they are not alone among the associate nations in providing drama. Afghanistan caused Sri Lanka a scare before the 1996 champions prevailed by four wickets with 10 balls to spare, while Zimbabwe chased down UAE's 285-7 with only two overs and four wickets left.
Meanwhile, some of the matches between the full members have been far more one-sided, with England and Pakistan both suffering heavy losses in their opening two matches. New Zealand chased down England's total of 123 before the floodlights were even turned on, and Pakistan suffered a 150-run defeat to the West Indies. Even heavyweights India and South Africa could not provide a contest, the Proteas subsiding to a 130-run defeat.
O'Brien and Wilson's six-over partnership seemed to turn the match decisively in Ireland's favour, but when O'Brien, Wilson and John Mooney all fell in the final seven overs, the UAE sensed a first win over Ireland since 2001.
Dockrell and Cusack came together with 12 runs still needed from 15 balls, and after a series of wild swings and unconvincing hacks, the pair finally wrapped up victory in the final over.
Test Match Special statistician Andrew Samson
Ireland now have four of the top 10 highest successful run chases in World Cup history. Ireland chased down a target of 328 against England and 307 against the Netherlands in 2011, and 305 against the West Indies in their 2015 World Cup opener.
Spinner George Dockrell hit the winning runs for Ireland
Gary Wilson hit a first international half-century for over a year in Ireland's two-wicket win over the UAE
Shaiman Anwar scored his first-ever ODI century in the UAE's two-wicket defeat by Ireland
BBC Sport - Cricket World Cup 2015: Ireland edge out UAE in Pool B
By Nick Royle
BBC Sport
25 February 2015
World Cup, Pool B, Brisbane:
UAE 278-9 (50 overs): Shaiman 106, Javed 42, Stirling 2-27
Ireland 279-8 (49.2 overs): Wilson 80, O'Brien 50, Javed 3-60
Ireland won by two wickets
Scorecard. Tables
Gary Wilson hit 80 to help Ireland to a nervy two-wicket World Cup win over the United Arab Emirates in Brisbane.
Shaiman Anwar scored a maiden ODI century as the UAE part-timers hit 147 from their last 15 overs to post 278-9.
They then pegged Ireland back to 97-4, but Kevin O'Brien (50) and Wilson put on 72 from 36 balls for the sixth wicket to help rebuild the innings.
Ireland, who have two wins from their opening two Pool B games, next face South Africa in Canberra on 3 March.
O'Brien and Wilson were both dismissed as William Porterfield's side closed in on the target, but Brisbane-born Alex Cusack and off-spinner George Dockrell kept their nerve to lead Ireland to victory with just four balls to spare.
Former England spinner Graeme Swann
"Ireland have put their fans through it today. I don't think I could have been an Ireland fan for the last 10 minutes. I now know why my dad refused to watch me play cricket in the last 10 years."
World cricket's governing body the ICC has decided to limit the next World Cup to 10 teams, but two associate sides who may struggle to qualify for the event in England in 2019 arguably played out the most exciting match of the tournament so far, one that was finally settled in the 100th and final over after 557 runs and 17 wickets.
The game ebbed and flowed, with Ireland reducing the UAE to 131-6 in the 35th over, before Shaiman (106 from 83 balls) and Amjad Javed (42 from 35 balls) put on a World Cup record seventh-wicket stand of 107 to set up a challenging total on a turning wicket.
Ireland struggled for any fluency in their reply, until the more expansively minded O'Brien joined Wilson at the wicket in the 39th over with 108 runs still needed.
Are the 'minnows' keeping the World Cup alive?
If Ireland and the UAE produced the most exciting finish of the World Cup so far, they are not alone among the associate nations in providing drama. Afghanistan caused Sri Lanka a scare before the 1996 champions prevailed by four wickets with 10 balls to spare, while Zimbabwe chased down UAE's 285-7 with only two overs and four wickets left.
Meanwhile, some of the matches between the full members have been far more one-sided, with England and Pakistan both suffering heavy losses in their opening two matches. New Zealand chased down England's total of 123 before the floodlights were even turned on, and Pakistan suffered a 150-run defeat to the West Indies. Even heavyweights India and South Africa could not provide a contest, the Proteas subsiding to a 130-run defeat.
O'Brien and Wilson's six-over partnership seemed to turn the match decisively in Ireland's favour, but when O'Brien, Wilson and John Mooney all fell in the final seven overs, the UAE sensed a first win over Ireland since 2001.
Dockrell and Cusack came together with 12 runs still needed from 15 balls, and after a series of wild swings and unconvincing hacks, the pair finally wrapped up victory in the final over.
Test Match Special statistician Andrew Samson
Ireland now have four of the top 10 highest successful run chases in World Cup history. Ireland chased down a target of 328 against England and 307 against the Netherlands in 2011, and 305 against the West Indies in their 2015 World Cup opener.
Spinner George Dockrell hit the winning runs for Ireland
Gary Wilson hit a first international half-century for over a year in Ireland's two-wicket win over the UAE
Shaiman Anwar scored his first-ever ODI century in the UAE's two-wicket defeat by Ireland
BBC Sport - Cricket World Cup 2015: Ireland edge out UAE in Pool B