Bengaluru, March 2: Minnows Ireland pulled off a stunning win against England in a Group B 2011 ICC World Cup encounter at the M Chinnanswamy Stadium in Bengalurutoday. Chasing England’s score of 327 in a day/night game, Irish batsman Kevin O’Brien blazed his way to the fastest century in World Cup history to set up the dramatic win for Ireland.

Earlier in the day, England won the toss and opted to bat first. Openers Andrew Strauss (34) and Kevin Pietersen (59) once again gave England the ideal platform for a big score when they put up 91 for the first wicket in just 13.3 overs. Then came a 167-run partnership between Jonathan Trott (92) and Ian Bell (81) that set England on course for a 300 plus score. Irish medium-pacer John Mooney took a few late wickets to peg things back, but England managed an impressive 327 for the loss of eight wickets at the end of their innings.

Ireland got off to a decent start posting their first 100 runs in 19.2 overs for the loss of two wickets. But Graeme Swann struck repeated blows for England by dismissing Niall O’Brien (29), Ed Joyce (32) and Gary Wilson (3) off consecutive overs to leave the Irish run chase in tatters at 111/5 in 24.2 overs.

Enter Kevin O’Brien. The Irish No. 6 batsman singlehandedly turned the game on its head by powering his way to the fastest century in World Cup competitions, off just 50 balls. O’Brien was involved in a sixth wicket partnership with Alex Cusack (47 off 58) that saw the two belt the England bowlers for 162 runs off just 17.1 overs (RR 9.43).

When Cusack was run-out, Ireland needed 55 off 51 deliveries and although O’Brien had tired out, John Mooney stepped up to the task. Mooney smacked a brilliant 33 off just 30 balls and even though O’Brien was run-out 11 short of the target, Mooney’s cameo ensured that Ireland went past the finishing line with three wickets and five balls to spare.

The win lifts Ireland to fifth position in Group B while England maintain their standing at second place in the same group.

Brief scores:Ireland 329/7 in 49.1 overs (Kevin O’Brien 113, Alex Cusack 47, John Mooney 33*, Graeme Swann 3/47) beat England 327/8 in 50 overs (Jonathan Trott 92, Ian Bell 81, Kevin Pietersen 59, John Mooney 4/63) by three wickets

Man-of-the-Match: Kevin O’Brien for his blinding innings of 113 (63 balls, 13X4, 6X6) that saw Ireland record a historic win over favourites England.