ICC World Cup 2015: 1st Quarter-Final: South Africa beat Sri Lanka

A comprehensive win for South Africa over a really strong competitor in Sri Lanka. South Africa have qualified for the semis. This was their first win in knockouts in World Cups. This win also turned out to be the largest victory in terms of balls remaining in knockout games of the World Cup.

Earlier, South African bowlers put up a thoroughly professional performance to rip through the opposition's batting line-up. Dale Steyn and Kyle Abbott bowled with fire and aggression to take wickets early on in the innings. Once Steyn and Abbott put the opposition on the back foot, Tahir made his presence felt. None of Sri Lanka's batsmen picked the googly and Tahir ended up with four wickets to his name. Tahir also outfoxed the batsmen with subtle changes of pace. Duminy too snared crucial wickets and even took a hat-trick. Incidentally, he became the first South African to take a hat-trick in World Cups.

After Imran Tahir and JP Duminy shared seven wickets between them, Quinton de Kock played with composure to brush aside the opposition's challenge and help South Africa reach the semi-finals.

Imran Tahir is named Man of the Match for his 4/26

South Africa played with an aggressive intent and there is no doubt they have sent a strong message to the rest of the teams in the competition that they are serious contenders to lift the coveted trophy.

This was your final time to witness the magic of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene who have been around for eternity. Time has now come to say their goodbyes!

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West Indies Book Quarter-Final Place

West Indies have won convincingly here, they have achieved the target in less than 36.2 overs. This means they have improved their net run rate and moved to the third place in the points table for pool B currently. They now have to wait for the result of the on going Ireland-Pakistan clash to confirm their opponents in the next round.

UAE bowlers tried well but the target was too small to test the Windies. UAE have showed some promise in this tournament and can build on from the experience they have gained in this tournament. Shaiman Anwar and Amjad Javed have been their star performers in this tournament.

West Indies have won it and that too comprehensively! Windies started off positively and went after the UAE bowlers. Jason Holder is adjudged the Man of the Match for his great spell upfront.

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India's perfect Six at the World cup

India chase down 288-run target in 48.4 overs for an emphatic six-wicket victory. India lost both their openers early but Virat Kohli and Rahane steadied the ship with a 50-run stand. Once they fell, Raina and Dhoni came together and first ensured India did not lose any further wickets and then played some aggressive cricket to take India over the line with a 196-run stand off just 156 balls. Suresh Raina top scored with a brilliant 110 not out off 104 balls.

Earlier, Brendan Taylor's who played his last International match for Zimbabwe, plundered the Indian bowling attack by playing orthodox and innovative strokes to score a ton. He especially, took a heavy toll off Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja's bowling by using his feet, playing cheeky sweeps and reverse sweeps. He reached his hundred in style by ramping Mohammed Shami for a six. Once he was dismissed, Zimbabwe lost their way a bit to end up with a total below 300. With eight centuries to his name, Taylor now holds the record for most number of hundreds by a Zimbabwean cricketer in ODIs.

Suresh Raina is adjudged the Man of the Match for his brilliant knock.

This ends it for India in the group stages. India have chased it down and go to the quarter-finals with a cent percent win ratio. India take on Bangladesh next in the second quarter-final on the 19th of March.

With this win, Dhoni now has 10 consecutive victories in World Cups.

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