Sri Lanka’s Maharoof and Murali torpedo Ireland

ST GEORGE'S, Grenada, April 18, 2007 (AFP) - Sri Lanka's Farveez Maharoof and Muttiah Muralitharan took four wickets each to set up an eight-wicket win against Ireland, who bowed out of the World Cup by making 77 - the sixth lowest total in the competition's history - here on Wednesday.



Maharoof, playing in the side because of an injury to Lasith Malinga while Dilhara Fernando was rested, made a strong case to retain his place for next Tuesday's semi-final in Jamaica with a blistering performance with the ball.

He also ran out Ireland skipper Trent Johnston as Sri Lanka bowled out their opponents for just 77 before wrapping up victory comfortbaly before the lunch break at the Grenada National Stadium.

"It's a good headache to have," said Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene when quizzed if the 22-year-old Maharoof would start the semi-final which is likely to be against New Zealand.

"Everyone in this squad has put their hands up when it comes to performing.

It would be a worse headache if we were not performing.

"We have acheived our goal of making the semi-finals. When we left Sri Lanka we knew we had to concentrate hard, we knew we had the talent to make the last four but we just had to execute our plans.

That was the hardest thing."

Maharoof finished with fou