The biggest-ever World Cup upset is often considered to be Ireland’s victory over Pakistan in the 2007 Cricket World Cup. This match is historic because Ireland, a team of amateur cricketers at the time, triumphed over the much more experienced and professional Pakistani team. This victory led to Pakistan’s early exit from the tournament and is remembered for the dramatic circumstances surrounding the match, including the tragic passing of Pakistan’s coach Bob Woolmer shortly afterwards.
The Cricket World Cup is the most prestigious tournament in the sport, where the best teams compete for ultimate glory. However, sometimes the underdogs manage to pull off stunning upsets that defy all expectations and create history.
It’s in these thrilling underdog victories that the spirit of cricket truly shines, captivating fans worldwide. The Cricket World Cup’s rich history is punctuated with these unforgettable David-versus-Goliath moments, cementing its status as a must-watch sporting spectacle.
Ireland vs England, 2011
No one expected Ireland to win this match, especially after they were reduced to 111/5 in pursuit of 328. England had posted a formidable total thanks to centuries from Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen and looked set to cruise to victory.
But then came Kevin O’Brien, who played the innings of his life and smashed a hundred off just 50 balls. He was well supported by Alex Cusack and John Mooney, who helped him add 162 and 81 runs for the sixth and seventh wickets respectively.
O’Brien was eventually dismissed for 113 off 63 balls, but Mooney stayed till the end and hit the winning runs with five balls to spare. Ireland completed the then-highest successful chase in World Cup history and stunned England by three wickets.
India vs West Indies, 1983
It was the final of the 1983 World Cup, where India faced the mighty West Indies, who had won the previous two editions. India were playing in their first final and were considered minnows against the formidable Caribbean side.
India batted first and were bowled out for a paltry 183, with only Kris Srikkanth (38) and Sandeep Patil (27) making some contribution. It seemed like an easy target for West Indies, who had a star-studded batting line-up featuring Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Viv Richards, Clive Lloyd and others.
However, India’s bowling attack, led by Kapil Dev, Mohinder Amarnath and Madan Lal, produced a sensational performance and kept taking wickets at regular intervals. Richards was the only batsman who threatened to take the game away from India, but he was brilliantly caught by Kapil Dev at mid-wicket for 33.
Amarnath and Madan Lal took three wickets each, while Balwinder Sandhu and Roger Binny chipped in with one each. West Indies were eventually bowled out for 140 in 52 overs, giving India a historic 43-run win. It was one of the greatest upsets in cricket history and marked the beginning of India’s rise as a cricketing powerhouse.
Netherlands vs South Africa, 2023
In a stunning upset at the Cricket World Cup 2023, the Netherlands defied all expectations by defeating South Africa by 38 runs. This historic match, which took place on October 17, 2023, at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, India, marked the Netherlands’ first-ever World Cup win and South Africa’s first-ever loss in the tournament.
Despite a shaky start, the Netherlands managed to post a competitive total of 245 for eight in 43 overs, with Scott Edwards playing a standout innings of 78 runs. In response, South Africa’s batting faltered, with no batsman managing to score more than 40 runs.
The Netherlands’ disciplined and aggressive bowling, led by Vivian Kingma and Logan van Beek, kept the pressure on, resulting in South Africa being bowled out for 207. The remarkable victory sent shockwaves through the cricket world, with South Africa slipping to the third spot in their group and the Netherlands rising to the fourth spot.
Kenya vs Sri Lanka, 2003
In the 26th match of the ICC World Cup 2003, played between Kenya and Sri Lanka on February 24, 2003, at the Gymkhana Club Ground in Nairobi, Kenya batted first and scored 210 runs for the loss of 9 wickets.
The total was anchored by Kennedy Otieno, who contributed significantly with a solid innings of 60 runs. Muttiah Muralitharan was the standout bowler for Sri Lanka, taking 4 wickets for 28 runs in his 10 overs.
In response, Sri Lanka had to chase down 211 runs for victory but was bowled out for 157 in 44.5 overs. Kenya’s spin wizard, Collins Obuya, played a pivotal role in their victory, taking an impressive 5 wickets for just 24 runs in his 10 overs.
Kenya’s victory was considered a historic moment for cricket in Africa and a significant boost for associate nations. Collins Obuya was awarded the Man of the Match for his outstanding performance.
Kenya continued their impressive run in the tournament, eventually reaching the semi-finals, where they faced India. In contrast, Sri Lanka had a disappointing campaign, failing to advance to the Super Six stage of the competition.
Zimbabwe vs Australia, 1983
It was the third one-day international of the Prudential World Cup 1983, played at Trent Bridge, Nottingham on June 9. Zimbabwe, playing in their first World Cup, stunned Australia by 13 runs in a low-scoring encounter.
Zimbabwe scored 239 for 6 in 60 overs, with Duncan Fletcher making an unbeaten 69 and Graeme Hick scoring 60. Australia were bowled out for 226 in 57.5 overs, with Rodney Hogg taking 4 for 39 and Fletcher claiming 4 for 42.
Pakistan vs Ireland, 2007
The Pakistan vs. Ireland match in the 2007 Cricket World Cup stands as one of the most remarkable upsets in cricket history. On St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland won the toss and chose to field under overcast conditions, a decision that paid off handsomely as their disciplined bowling attack, led by Boyd Rankin and Andre Botha, restricted Pakistan to a mere 132 runs.
Ireland’s chase was marred by rain delays, but Niall O’Brien’s stellar innings of 72 runs steadied the ship. However, when he was stumped by Kamran Akmal, Ireland found themselves in a precarious situation. Nevertheless, Kevin O’Brien and Trent Johnston kept their cool and secured a historic three-wicket victory with 32 balls to spare.
The shocking outcome not only marked Ireland’s first-ever World Cup win but also led to significant repercussions in the cricket world, including the retirement announcement of captain Inzamam-ul-Haq from one-day cricket.
Afghanistan vs Scotland, 2015
It was the 17th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, played at University Oval, Dunedin on February 26. Afghanistan achieved their first ever World Cup win by chasing down 211 in the final over against Scotland.
Afghanistan recovered from 97 for 7 to overhaul the target with three balls to spare, thanks to a heroic knock of 96 by Samiullah Shenwari and some late hitting by Shapoor Zadran. This was the second highest successful run chase by a team after losing seven wickets in a World Cup match. Scotland had earlier made 210 all out in 50 overs.
Summary
The World Cup upsets show that cricket is a game of uncertainties, where anything can happen on a given day. They also show that cricket is a global sport, where teams from different regions and backgrounds can compete and challenge each other.
The upsets have inspired many fans and players, and have enriched the game with their drama and excitement. They have also added to the legacy and prestige of the World Cup, which is the ultimate prize in cricket.
Now, we turn the conversation over to you, our cricket-loving community. Which World Cup upset left you in disbelief and admiration?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.