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10 magical moments of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011
On yer bike, son
Captains of the 14 World Cup teams paraded at Dhaka's historic Bangabandhu Stadium for the opening ceremony in a fleet of brightly coloured rickshaws, the transport of choice in the teeming Bangladeshi capital. Indian singer Sonu Nigam and Bangladesh-based Runa Laila, as well as veteran Canadian rocker Bryan Adams, were the headline acts at the event.
Lasith Malinga's hat-trick
Sri Lanka's king of sling claimed a second World Cup hat-trick in a six-wicket haul against hapless Kenyain Colombo. Malinga sent back Tanmay Mishra, Peter Ongondo and Shem Ngoche in successive balls. In 2007, he had taken four wickets in four balls against South Africa.
Kevin O'Brien's record century
Irish whirlwind Kevin O'Brien scored the fastest-ever World Cup century, off just 50 balls, as Ireland completed a stunning three-wicket win over England.
Shoulder to shoulder after quake tragedy
Australia and New Zealand players stood shoulder to shoulder and observed a minute's silence in Nagpur on February 25 in honour of the Christchurch earthquake victims. "We are neighbours and brothers," said Australia skipper Ricky Ponting.
Tait vs Tillakaratne
Aussie speedster Shaun Tait and Sri Lanka opener Tillakaratne Dilshan squared up and Tait won hands down. Dilshan edged through the slips to enrage the fiery Tait. The Sri Lankan then pulled away from the crease just as Tait went into his next delivery stride, before the speedster had his man next ball, courtesy of a slip catch.
Brother bother
Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal's calamitous performance behind the stumps against New Zealand unleashed a stream of criticism and paved the way for younger brother Umar to take over. That was until Umar hurt his finger and then his ankle and was accused by sections of the Pakistan media of feigning injury to save his brother's job.
Tweeting under fire
Burly West Indian opener Chris Gayle said he was terrified when the team bus was stoned in Dhaka following the win over Bangladesh. But his fear didn't affect his tweeting addiction. "This is ridiculous. World Cup with so much security and this happens. Big joke. Every player lay flat," he wrote on his Twitter account. He added: "This is bullshit.....Bangladesh stoning our bus!!! Freaking glass break!!! This is crap, can't believe..what next, bullets!!!!"
India and Pakistan united
The semifinal in Mohali between the two neighbours resulted in Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani accepting an invitation from Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh to attend the match. Both leaders met the players and stood side by side as the national anthems were played.
Hold the fireworks
Colombo organizers were a little too quick off the mark with the firework display arranged to coincide with the end of Muttiah Muralitharan's last appearance on home soil. Thilsan Samaraweera was still seeking the winning run against New Zealand when the night sky was prematurely lit up.
Sachin's title at the sixth attempt
World record breaking batsman Sachin Tendulkar was carried around the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai after finally capturing a World Cup winners medal at the sixth attempt. "Tendulkar has carried the burden of the nation for 21 years. It was time we carried him," said young teammate Virat Kohli.
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