Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan and teammates celebrate the team’s victory against England in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on October 15, 2023.
| Photo Credit: ANI
With Afghanistan pulling off an upset of epic proportions by humbling defending champions England in the ODI World Cup, PTI takes a look at six underdog triumphs at the global showpiece.
1983: India vs West Indies
In one of the most stunning upsets in the history of the World Cup, the Kapil Dev-led India floored two-time defending champions (1975, 1979) West Indies by 43 runs to win their maiden title at the iconic Lord’s. Defending a meagre 183, India produced a splendid bowling show to bundle out the mighty West Indies for 140.
1983: Zimbabwe vs Australia
The 1983 edition saw another upset when Zimbabwe suprised the cricketing world by upsetting Australia by 13 runs at Trent Bridge on their World Cup debut. Duncan Fletcher made 69 not out to help his side post 239 for six from their 60 overs. He also claimed 4/42 as the Australian side boasting of Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson and Allan Border were restricted to 226 for seven.
2011: Ireland vs England
Ireland produced a giant killing act when a Kevin O’Brien-inspired team downed England, chasing down a mammoth 328 with three wickets intact at the M Chinnaswamy in Bangalore. O’Brien smashed World Cup’s fastest hundred in 60 balls. He hit six sixes and 13 fours in his knock of 113 that came off just 63 balls.
1996: Kenya vs West Indies
Playing their maiden World Cup, Kenya scripted a dramatic upset by defeating West Indies by 73 runs in Pune. This was the first occasion in World Cup history that a non-Test-playing nation defeated a Test-playing nation. Exploiting a turner, off-spinner Maurice Odumbe’s 3/15 off 10 overs became decisive as the star-studded West Indies with Brian Lara, Richie Richardson in their ranks folded for a paltry 93 while chasing 164.
1999: Bangladesh vs Pakistan
Bangladesh shocked Pakistan in an inconsequential match at Northampton. Bangladesh made 223/9 and in reply Pakistan were bundled out for 161 in 44.3 overs.
2007 : Bangladesh vs India
Bangladesh got the better of India by five wickets in the group stage match at Port of Spain and the result eventually caused team’s early elimination. Mashrafe Mortaza’s 4/38 put India in a spot as they collapsed to a below-par 191 in 49.3 overs. Bangladesh chased down the target in 48.3 overs with five wickets intact.
