14 top upsets in World Cup cricket history

While the teams’ don’t like the tag minnows, and the competition has narrowed down in the past few years but when a weaker side defeats a bigger one, it does make headline and rightly are termed ‘upsets’.

William Porterfield, Ireland’s skipper didn’t sound too elated after his side registered a thumping win against West Indies in Nelson in both the teams’ opening match in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 last month. He said, “The term an upset, anything from minnows to associate, I don’t see why a team has to be an associate or a team has to be a full member. Sure you’re ranked one to whatever but it’s not like that in any other sport and I don’t see why it has to be like that in ours.”

While the teams’ don’t like the tag minnows, and the competition has narrowed down in the past few years but when a weaker side defeats a bigger one, it does make headline and rightly are termed ‘upsets’.

Surely if Bangladesh manage to defeat India in the second quarter-final, it’s bound to be an upset for sure. Suvajit Mustafi lists out some of the other memorable upsets in the history of cricket World Cup.

 

1:      World Cup 1979 – Sri Lanka beat India at Manchester | Group stage

Sri Lanka were then an associate member and nobody gave them chance when they squared off against their dominant neighbours India. Sri Lanka were put in to bat and their regular captain Anura Tenekoon missed out the tie due to an injury.

They put on a competitive total of 238 on the board and Tony Opatha and Somachandra de Silva combined well to bowl out India for 191.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka 238 for 5 in 60 overs (Sunil Wettimuny 67, Roy Dias 50, Duleep Mendis 64; Mohinder Amarnath 3-40) bt India191 in 54.1 overs (Tony Opatha 3-31, Somachandra de Silva 3-29) – by 47 runs

 

2:      World Cup 1983 – Zimbabwe beat Australia at Nottingham | Group stage

In what was their first ever World Cup appearance, Zimbabwe provided the biggest shock of the World Cup when they beat Australia by 13 runs. Put in to bat first, the African side put up 239 from their 60 overs and their captain Duncan Fletcher led from the front.

The now Indian coach, Fletcher was still not done. He picked up the wickets of Graeme Wood, his counterpart Kim Hughes, David Hookes and Graham Yallop to restrict Australia to 226.

Brief scores:

Zimbabwe 239 for 6 in 60 overs (Duncan Fletcher 69*, Iain Butchart 34*) bt Australia 226 for 7 in 60 overs (Kepler Wessels 76, Rod Marsh 50*; Duncan Fletcher 4-42) – by 13 runs

 

3:      World Cup 1992 – Zimbabwe beat England at Albury | League match

Entering the tournament, England were favourites and they did justice to their tag by ending up as runners-up, but in a huge upset in a league match, a spirited Zimbabwe bowled out England 10 short of the target.

In what was a bowlers’ pitch, England had bowled out Zimbabwe for 134 and chasing the total could manage only 125 with medium pacer Eddo Brandes demolishing their top order with the wickets of Graham Gooch, Allan Lamb, Robin Smith and the Zimbabwe born Graeme Hick.

Brief score

Zimbabwe 134 in 46.1 overs (Ian Botham 3-23, Richard Illingworth 3-33) bt England 125 in 49.1 overs (Eddo Brandes 4-21) – by nine runs

 

4:      World Cup 1996 – Kenya beat West Indies at Pune | Group stage

This has to be the mother of all upsets. Kenya were playing their first World Cup and so far their display was pretty ordinary and no one gave them slightest of chance when they played a strong West Indian side.

Kenya were bowled out for 166 and West Indies walked out to finish off the seemingly easy chase but what followed was pandemonium. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out for 93.

Brief score:

Kenya 166 in 49.3 overs (Courtney Walsh 3-46, Roger Harper 3-15) bt West Indies 93 in 35.2 overs (Rajab Ali 3-17, Maurice Odumbe 3-15) – by 73 runs

 

5:      World Cup 1999 – Zimbabwe beat South Africa at Chlemsford | Group stage

Zimbabwe had already beaten India but against their neighbours South Africa, no one gave them any chance considering their poor record against them. Also South Africa, under Hansie Cronje were one of the strongest sides in the competition.

Electing to bat first, Zimbabwe were off to a solid start, gradually they slowed down but still managed 233, thanks to Neil Johnson’s 76 at the top. For the South African side laden with all-rounder, this chase wasn’t going to be very difficult but after 12 overs, they were 40 for six. Shaun Pollock and Lance Klusener provided resistance but eventually were bowled out for 185.

Brief score:

Zimbabwe 233 for 6 in 50 overs (Neil Johnson 76, Allan Donald 3-41) bt South Africa 185 in 45.2 overs (Shaun Pollock 52, Lance Klusener 52*; Neil Johnson 3-27, Heath Streak 3-35) – by 48 runs

 

6:      World Cup 1999 – Bangladesh beat Pakistan at Northampton | Group stage

Pakistan were a dominant force in the 1999 World Cup and they were surely among the favourites. When they squared off against Bangladesh, a country which was once a part of them and known as East Pakistan, everyone expected their opponents to raise their game.

Bangladesh were put in to bat and put up a decent 223 against a bowling attack that comprised Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Saqlain Mushtaq, Shahid Afridi and Azhar Mahmood. While chasing, Pakistan kept losing wickets and Bangladesh smelled of a victory, their first one against a major side. Eventually they managed to bowl out Pakistan for 161 and that victory played a big role in them gaining the Test status, a year later.

Brief score:

Bangladesh 223 for 9 in 50 overs (Shahriar Hossain 39, Akram Khan 42; Saqlain Mushtaq 5-35) bt Pakistan 161 in 44.3 overs (Khaled Mahmud 3-31) – by 62 runs

 

7:      World Cup 2003 – Kenya beat Sri Lanka at Nairobi | Group stage

Winning the toss, Sri Lanka chose to field and restricted Kenya to 210. Kenyan batsmen found Muttiah Muralitharan tough to negotiate. It wasn’t going to be a tough chase for them considering the batting line-up they had, but Collins Obuya had other plans.

The leg-spinner made life difficult for the Sri Lankans, picking up a fifer and scripting a memorable win for the Kenyans. In fact, the spirited Kenya later qualified for the semi-final.

Brief score:

Kenya 210 for 9 in 50 overs (Kennedy Otieno 60; Chaminda Vaas 3-41, Muttiah Muralitharan 4-28) bt Sri Lanka 157 in 45 overs (Aravinda de Silva 41; Collins Obuya 5-24) – by 53 runs

 

8:      World Cup 2007 – Bangladesh beat India at Port of Spain | Group stage

It was a celebration unseen in Dhaka when a young and spirited Bangladesh side beat India in Port of Spain, in what was both their opening game in the World Cup 2007. Choosing to bat, India found it very tough to play the Bangladeshi bowlers. While Mashrafe Mortaza created the early in-roads, the spinners – Abdur Razzak and Mohammad Rafique later joined the party. Sourav Ganguly’s crawling 66, along with Yuvraj Singh’s 47 ensured that India reach 191.

Bangladesh showed positive intent right from the start of their chase and finished it off without much difficulty. It was the young trio of Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan, all in their teens, who got fifties, helping the side register a memorable win.

Brief score:

India 191 in 49.3 overs (Sourav Ganguly 66, Yuvraj Singh 47; Mashrafe Mortaza 4-38, Abdur Razzak 3-38, Mohammad Rafique 3-35) lost toBangladesh 192 for 5 in 48.3 overs (Tamim Iqbal 51, Mushfiqur Rahim 56*, Shakib Al Hasan 53) – by five wickets

 

9:      World Cup 2007 – Ireland beat Pakistan at Jamaica | Group stage

On the same day when India were beaten by Bangladesh, Pakistan were humbled by Ireland. It was Ireland’s first World Cup appearance and winning the toss they put Pakistan in to bat and dismissed them to 132. During their chase, they kept losing wickets at regular intervals, but Niall O’Brien hung in there, crafting an unbeaten 72 to see his team through by three wickets.

The aftermath of the defeat was even more shocking as on the following day, Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer was found dead in his hotel room.

Brief score:

Pakistan 132 in 45.4 overs (Boyd Rankin 3-32) lost to Ireland 133 for 7 in 41.4 overs (Niall O’Brien 72*; Mohammad Sami 3-39) – by three wickets

 

10:   World Cup 2007 – Bangladesh beat South Africa at Guyana | Super Eight

South Africa put in Bangladesh to bat and a brilliant knock of 87 by Mohammad Ashraful guided the side to a fighting total of 251. Already charged up after their win against India, Bangladesh bowlers once again showed great discipline as they bowled out South Africa for just 184 to script another famous win.

Brief score:

Bangladesh 251 for 8 in 50 overs (Mohammad Ashraful 87; Andre Nel 5-45) bt South Africa 184 in 48.4 overs (Herschelle Gibbs 56*; Abdur Razzak 3-25) – by 67 runs

 

11:   World Cup 2011  – Ireland beat England at Bangalore | Group match

When England put up 327 and had Ireland at 111 for five, not even an eternal optimist would have given the Irish side a chance in the contest. Ireland all-rounder Kevin O’Brien had other plans though. He blasted 113 from just 63 balls, in the way registering the fastest ever World Cup hundred to produce one of the most famous cricket upsets of all-time.

Brief score:

England 327 for 8 in 50 overs (Kevin Pietersen 59, Jonathan Trott 92, Ian Bell 81; John Mooney 4-63) lost to Ireland 329 for 7 in 49.1 overs (Kevin O’Brien 113, Alex Cusack 47; Graeme Swann 3-47) by –three wickets

12:   World Cup 2011 – Bangladesh beat England at Chittagong | Group match

Put in to bat, Bangladesh had done a good job of bowling out England for 225. They looked good for chase but couple of quick wickets in the middle overs swung the game in complete favour of the English side. Bangaldesh stared another defeat with the score being 169 for eight in the 40th over. However Mahmudullah and number 10 batsman, Shafiul Islam added 58 for the ninth wicket to see the home side through.

Brief score:

England 225 in 49.4 overs (Jonathan Trott 67, Eoin Morgan 63) lost to Bangladesh 227 for 8 in 49 overs (Imrul Kayes 60, Ajmal Shahzad 3-43) by two wickets

 

13:  World Cup 2015 – Ireland beat West Indies at Nelson | Group match

Ireland made a huge statement when they beat West Indies quite comfortably in both the sides opening match in the 2015 edition. In the 24th over, West Indies were struggling at 87 for five but Darren Sammy and Lendl Simmons added 154 for the sixth wicket. Their efforts saw the Caribbean side put on 304 on the board, which didn’t prove to be enough.

Ireland were always in the chase and it began with Paul Stirling’s breezy knock. Stirling (92) combined brilliantly with Ed Joyce (84) and Niall O’Brien (79), to ensure a successful chase in the 46th over.

Brief score:

West Indies 304 for 7 in 50 overs (Lendl Simmons 102, Darren Sammy 89; George Dockrell 3-50) lost to Ireland 307 for 6 in 50 overs (Paul Stirling 92, Ed Joyce 84, Niall O’Brien 79; Jerome Taylor 3-71) – by four wickets

 

14:  World Cup 2015 – Bangladesh beat England at Adelaide | Group match

It was a must win game for England to keep their hopes alive in the tournament. They had been dismal so far and Bangladesh were in no mood to make in easy for them. They had already beaten them in the previous edition but that was in home and conditions at Adelaide were more suited for England.

England put Bangladesh to bat and began brilliantly, reducing them to eight for two. However they recovered well and Mahmudullah became the first Bangladeshi batsman to score a hundred in the World Cup. With help from Mushfiqur Rahim (89), they managed 275.

England, who had been dismal throughout the tournament, began nervously and lost wickets at regular intervals. However Jose Buttler kept them in the chase but the lower order just couldn’t hold on to their nerves and a menacing spell in the end from Rubel Hossain saw Bangladesh clinch it by 15 runs.

Brief score:

Bangladesh 275 for 7 in 50 overs (Soumya Sarkar 40, Mahmudullah 103, Mushfiqur Rahim 89; James Anderson 2-45, Chris Jordan 2-59) btEngland 260 in 48.3 overs (Ian Bell 63, Jose Buttler 65, Chris Woakes 42*; Mashrafe Mortaza 2-48, Rubel Hossain 4-53, Taskin Ahmed 2-59) – by 15 runs

 

(Suvajit Mustafi consumes cricket for lunch, fiction for dinner and munches numerous other snacks throughout the day. Yes, a jack of several trades, all Suvajit dreamt of was being India’s World Cup winning skipper but ended up being a sports writer, author, screenwriter, director, copywriter, graphic designer, sports marketer, strategist, entrepreneur,  philosopher and traveller. Donning so many hats, it’s cricket which gives him the ultimate high and where he finds solace. He can be followed at @RibsGully and rivu7)

 

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