Porterfield aiming for knock-out stage

8220;We have got three games left and there is no reason we can8217;t beat any of the three teams we are playing. We are a fighting side,8221; said Porterfield.

Porterfield led from the front to give title favourites India,a scare in Bangalore before the co-hosts won by five wickets at M Chinnaswamy stadium on Sunday night. The Irish skipper top-scored in the game with a solid 75.

8220;We got ourselves in a great position after losing two early wickets and we looked okay till the run-out of Niall O8217;Brien. An extra 40 runs on that pitch would have been interesting because there was spin in it,8221; said Porterfield.

The Irish skipper said the wicket of Niall O8217; Brien was the turning point in their innings,adding that things went wrong after the second drinks break.

8220;After that drinks break we lost few wickets,and that set us back. I think 250-260 would have been a very competitive total. We lost two wickets in the first three overs and it wasn8217;t easy to get going. Got a decent partnership after that,but then lost three quick wickets.8221;

Porterfield added that his team8217;s never-say-die attitude will always make them a fighting opponent.

8220;I am happy with the way my team fought and the way the boys fielded and bowled,8221; he said.

First player in World Cup to take five wickets and hit a half-century,Yuvraj Singh was adjudged man-of-the-match and he said the Irish team could surprise any Test playing nation in the tournament.

8220;At the last World Cup in the Caribbean,they beat Pakistan and in this tournament they successfully chased 327 against England. They have been doing really well,8221; said Yuvraj.

8220;They can put big teams under pressure. They should be playing a lot of international cricket,8221; he added.