Top 5 matches of the World Cup group stages

The crowds have cheered throughout, Sri Lankans loud, Indians louder. The Irish were full of joy, they could’ve been celebrating Christmas for all you know with their green hats and big mugs. The carnival didn’t abate, whether it were the massive grounds of Australia flooded with artificial light or the smaller, greener and enticing ovals of New Zealand, generally cloudy and windy.The format was a lazy one, designed for the TV broadcasters to make money, not so much for the TV viewers. Yet, like a movie expectedly dull turns a thriller with smart twists, the World Cup 2015 has managed to remain relevant, interesting, exciting even.Not until the last game was the quarter-final line-up decided. The broadcasters might have as well bought a few lottery tickets, for this has been nothing short of good luck. There have been some last over finishes, some last wicket finishes and some classy chases.While there have been some big innings, 400s and daddy 300s, it were the small total games that became the most exciting ones, giving audiences edge of the seat thrillers. The Scotland-Afghanistan game misses out from the list narrowly, although the last wicket win for Afghanistan, their first in World Cups was a classy thriller in its own right:

#5 UAE vs Ireland, Brisbane - Pool B

The two Associates – UAE and Ireland – thrilled the crowd

In one of their better batting campaigns in the tournament, UAE posted 278 against Ireland on the back of a Shaiman Anwar ton. The Irish players have repeatedly said that nothing short of quarter-finals would be satisfying for them. They almost messed up their chances descending to 97 for four during the chase. They were rescued by two brilliant partnerships, 64 for the fifth wicket and 72 for the sixth wicket, Gary Wilson playing a role in both, scoring 80 in the end.

Kevin O’ Brien stroked a whirlwind half-century in just 25 balls. Ireland stuttered in the late overs yet again, stumbling to 267 for eight in the 48th over. However, Alex Cusack and George Dockrell got the 12 runs required nervously, Ireland making it over the line in the last over. UAE missed several run-out chances during that tiny, but critical partnership losing their best opportunity of a win at the tournament.

#4 Bangladesh vs New Zealand, Hamilton - Pool A

Despite Mahmadullah’s mammoth efforts, the Kiwis were too strong for the Tigers

Bangladesh were one of the surprise packages at this World Cup contributing to the overall higher quality of the matches. They provided their passionate supporters with two brilliant and unexpected performances, one ending in a win taking them through to the quarter-finals and another ending in a loss.

Yet, it was their game against New Zealand that makes it to the list as opposed to the one against England on the sheer basis of how much the game swung from one side to another. Bangladesh made 288 batting first, Mahmudullah scoring a second successive century.

New Zealand had to deal with a surprise tactic as Bangladesh started with two left-arm spinners, Shakib picking up both star players Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson. A 131-run partnership between out of touch Ross Taylor and Martin Guptill, who made a match-winning century put New Zealand on track.

However, New Zealand continued throwing their wickets quickly tumbling to 269 for seven in the 48th over, the match hurtling to a tight finish. Corey Anderson and Grant Elliott both played lovely cameos without carrying on.

New Zealand eventually got over the line courtesy Daniel Vettori, who remained calm and got the required runs.

#3 Ireland vs Zimbabwe, Hobart - Pool B

Ireland and Zimbabwe played out a nail-biter

Ireland scored a mammoth 331 against Zimbabwe, Ed Joyce scoring a brilliant century while Andy Balbirnie missed out on one after a 79-ball 97 run blinder. It is never easy to chase under the lights and Zimbabwe who had their best batsmen in the middle order were reduced to 41 for three and 74 for four very quickly.

Then began one of the best innings in World Cups. Brendan Taylor, the second highest run-getter in the group stages, scored a brave 121 off just 91 balls, his innings studded with 11 fours and four sixes. He added 149 runs with Sean Williams who missed out on a century, out on 96 in controversial circumstances.

After Taylor’s dismissal, Williams had kept up the run-rate and at 300 for six, Zimbabwe had it in firm control, before he left the field, on John Mooney’s word of a clean catch. He shouldn’t have and that probably cost Zimbabwe the game.

There was a late flicker in the form of a 20-run ninth wicket partnership that came in just 9 balls, but Ireland held their nerve and ensured Zimbabwe were pegged right at the finishing line. Ireland won the game by 5 runs, the match going down to the wire ending in the last over.

#2 Pakistan vs South Africa, Auckland - Pool B

Pakistan got one over tournament favourites South Africa

South Africans were angry, after the 130-run drubbing by India. Pakistan had been humiliated twice – once against arch-rivals India and then again by a beleaguered West Indies. Everything was at stake and what happened next would have taken anyone by surprise

Pakistan made some interesting calls, Sarfraz Ahmed finally getting a game and it looked like a masterstroke from the first moment. Thanks to his 49 and the skipper’s half-century, Pakistan laboured their way to 222 all out in the 47th over.

South Africa’s famed batting order had to get 232 by D/L because of rain interruptions. Easy right? South Africa made an absolute mess of it, batting with nervous energy, frenetic and frantic in their chase and losing wickets with rash shots. They were 67 for one thanks to Amla and Faf du Plessis but before they realized, Pakistan’s pace battery had gobbled up their top order, reducing them to 77 for five.

Mohammad Irfan was bowling unplayable thunderbolts and Wahab Riaz was cranking it up. Eventually, it came down to AB de Villiers’ genius versus Pakistan’s pacemen. Wahab, Irfan and Rahat Ali all picked three wickets each and de Villiers after a gutsy 77 off 58 ended up playing at a ball he could have easily ducked under, gloving it to the keeper.

South Africa were all out for 202, losing by 29 runs, a game they should have won with ease. It didn’t help for the Proteas that Umar Akmal wasn’t keeping for Pakistan, Sarfraz was, picking a World Cup record-equalling six catches.

#1 New Zealand vs Australia, Auckland - Pool A

New Zealand and Australia played in one of the lowest-scoring matches at the 2015 World Cup

Probably the humdinger of the tournament, the match showed how even the smallest of totals could get really exciting when mixed with fine pace bowling, excellent fielding and two attacking, aggressive captains. Australia were flying at 80 for one, but Brendon McCullum kept attacking and was rewarded.

Australia declined to 106 for eight in no time, Trent Boult unleashed on them, swinging the ball into the batsmen. Brad Haddin who walked in at No.8 provided a rescue act with a 41-ball 43 pushing the total to 151. McCullum looked to make short work of it smashing a 24-ball 50 before the Starc show began. It was New Zealand’s turn to collapse from 78 for one to 79 for four, Starc getting two in two balls.

After Corey Anderson and Kane Williamson added 52 for the fifth wicket and were cruising towards a win, there was a twist again. Maxwell picked Anderson’s wicket before Starc came back to knock off three more wickets, the eighth and ninth off successive deliveries. It was a tactical blunder from Michael Clarke to hold Starc back so late and that probably cost him the match.

Boult faced up to two pumped-up deliveries from Starc and survived. The match ended in a way characteristic of the see-saw that it managed to be all through. Williamson who had remained calm and composed all through the carnage, hit a six off the first ball next over to end the game, New Zealand beating their Trans-Tasman rivals by one wicket – easily the best game of the tournament.