ICC cricket world cup is the biggest tournament in the world. The idea behind this format is that the top teams compete against each other to build their dominance. In the past 3 decades, ICC has opened the doors for the “underdogs” to showcase their ability at the world level.
Till now in the history of cricket World Cup thus far, not just a few but there are a number of major upsets. Fans love underdogs and when they beat the world heavyweights the excitement is “double”. Kenya to Bangladesh we have picked the top 5 upsets to make you feel nostalgic.
Top 5 biggest upsets in the Cricket World Cup history
1) India vs Bangladesh, 2007
It was the end of everything after this game for everyone. First in 1999 world cup against Pakistan and then in 2007 against India in the group stage encounter. If we look at both sides it is clear India Team has the advantage but these underdogs have turned the table and shocked the cricket fraternity across the globe.
After the winning the toss, the Indian skipper Rahul Dravid decided to bat first with the well-experienced players but things have been going wrong to worst when they have to managed to score only 191 runs in 49.3 overs with some respected knocks of Sourav Ganguly (66) and Yuvraj Singh (47).
With the required run rate of fewer than 5 runs per over to chase the target. Bangladesh team did not get off to a good start when they lose their first wicket at the score of 24/1 but the young team of underdogs has determined with their mindset to chase the total.
With the quick Half-century of Tamim Iqbal (51) and setting the momentum for the rest players which was supported really well by Mushfiqur Rahim (56) and Shakib AL Hasan (53) to chase this total with 9 balls to spare. There were a number of dropped catches by Indian players which have led the Indian team campaign to come to end after this game.
2) Sri Lanka vs Kenya, 2003
I think this was one of the most shocking games ever happened in the world Cup history when cricket was at its prime. Who can forget the Kenya Journey to the semi-final but apart from that the 27th match of world Cup against Sri Lanka will go down as one of the greatest games in Kenya cricket history.
Putting to bat first Kenya has managed to score 210/9 and fans were expecting the game would over before 40th over with the likes of Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara but Kenya bowlers dismantle the Sri Lankan experienced batting line up on just 157 runs.
Also Read | Top 5 greatest chases in the ODI cricket history
For Kenya Collins Obuya took the wickets with the best bowling figure of 5/24. With this Kenya won defeated a strong Sri Lankan team by 53 runs and gave a major setback to the Sri Lankan team.
3) South Africa vs Bangladesh, 2007
Unbelievable, shocking, unexpected the words are less to describe the emotions. Super eight-game, 34th match fans haven’t get over from group stage India vs Bangladesh game but then comes another match that has under too many conclusion.
South Africa restricting the Bangladesh team to 251 runs. And it was that not tough to chase this total for South Africa. But they got all out at just 184 and making this as one of the biggest upsets in the cricket world cup history.
Also Read | Top 5 greatest run chase in Test cricket history
4) Pakistan vs Bangladesh, 1999
Playing its first world cup Bangladesh. Nobody has expected this when a team has a bowling unit like Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Waqar Younis would involve in the upsets.
After managed to score 223 runs it was very clear Pakistan will cross the line against these underdogs. But the downfall begins with the leading edge of Shahid Afridi with that 3 run outs and it looked like the underdogs made history.
With this victory over the best sides of the world. Bangladesh got the test status after which they have gone to play their first test match in 2000.
5) West Indies vs Kenya, 1996
29th Feb 1996, 20th match the underdog Kenya tales stunned the two-times world champions West Indies by defeating them through 73 runs in league games of 1996 World Cup.
Playing their first world cup minnows Kenya has restricted them to 161 with their deadly pace attack. It was looked like bowlers have done its part. Now its time of star-studded batting line up to chase this smooth total.
The West Indies’s openers went on to chase the total. But things have been gone to worst when they were 35/4. After this, it turned down to be a complete disaster when they got bowled out at 93 in just 35.2 overs. Fans really enjoy really when an underdog team beat the world heavyweight and comes into the spot.
So here were the top 5 biggest upsets in the Cricket World Cup history ever till now. Follow us on Instagram.
