Every ICC World Cup event is an opportunity for all participating teams to showcase their might. Thanks to the ICC, even teams who are not full-time members, get a chance to play in this mega event. Earlier this was done via the ICC Trophy, which has evolved into the World Cup Qualifier tournament.
Over the years, many such teams have gotten a chance to play on the big stage. From East Africa, Canada in 1975, to Sri Lanka in 1979, Zimbabwe played in the 1983 tournament. Other minnow teams who have featured multiple times in World Cups are UAE, Kenya, Netherlands, Namibia, Ireland, and Afghanistan. Many of these teams have some big wins in their account over some established units.
Some of them made quite a noise by defeating some big teams in the tournament, giving the World Cup an unforgettable moment. And now we take a look at some of those unforgettable moments when smaller teams defeated heavyweights in the ICC World Cup tournaments.
Here are some unforgettable moments when minnows caused an upset in ODI World Cup history:
1. Kenya defeats West Indies in the 1996 World Cup
Kenya vs West Indies (Photo Source: Twitter)
Kenya met West Indies in the Group A fixture of the World Cup 1996 in Pune. Put in to bat first, Kenya slumped to 81 for 6, before crawling their way to 166. Steve Tikolo (29), Hitesh Modi (26), and Thomas Odoyo (24) were the main scorers. Courtney Walsh and Roger Harper took three wickets apiece.
Nonetheless, the total was certainly mediocre and was never going to harm a batting line-up consisting of Brian Lara, Richie Richardson, and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. But Rajab Ali rocked the Windies early with the wickets of Richardson and Brian Lara. Lara had hit a crushing boundary and, in an effort, to repeat the shot, was caught somehow by keeper Tariq Iqbal.
West Indies never recovered from being 35/4. Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Roger Harper were the only ones to get into double figures. But they were bowled out for 93 runs, with Rajab Ali and captain Maurice Odumbe taking three wickets each. Kenya won by 73 runs, shocking the two-time World Champs and the cricketing world.
2. Zimbabwe defeat India and South Africa in the 1999 World Cup
Zimbabwe defeats India and South Africa in the 1999 World Cup. (Photo Source: ICC)
The 1999 World Cup was played in England after 16 years. Zimbabwe was at the peak of their cricketing powers in that year and it was evident how they played in this tournament. Zimbabwe first face off against India in Leicester. Put into bat first, thanks to 68* from Andy Flower and 45 from brother Grant, Zimbabwe posted 252/9.
India was without Sachin Tendulkar, who had returned home for his father’s funeral. Instead, Sadagoppan Ramesh opened with Sourav Ganguly. He made 55 while wickets fell at the other end, and he only got support from Ajay Jadeja (43) and Robin Singh (35).
With 7 needed off two overs and three wickets left, Henry Olonga did the impossible as he removed Robin Singh, Javagal Srinath, and Venkatesh Prasad in the 45th over to win the match by 3 runs for Zimbabwe.
Ten days later, Zimbabwe showed that defeating India was not a fluke as they stunned South Africa in Chelmsford. Neil Johnson starred as his 76 helped Zimbabwe to 233/6 after electing to bat. Then he and Heath Streak destroyed Proteas’ top order leaving them 40/6 at one stage.
Though Shaun Pollock and Lance Klusener both made 52 each, South Africa only managed 185, with Johnson taking 3/27. Zimbabwe won by 48 runs.
3. Bangladesh defeat Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup
Bangladesh defeat Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup. (Photo Source: ICC)
Bangladesh, another minnow team, made their World Cup debut in the 1999 edition. They faced off against Pakistan in Northampton. After winning the toss, Wasim Akram surprisingly put Bangladesh into bat. Akram Khan (42) and Shahriar Hossain (39) starred as Bangladesh posted 223/9. Saqlain Mushtaq took 5/35 for Pakistan.
A target of 224 was hardly daunting for Pakistan, but senseless batting meant that their top 5 batters got out in single-digit scores. Undaunting Khaled Mahmud accounted for Shahid Afridi, Inzamam Ul Haq, and Saleem Malik. Azhar Mahmood and Wasim Akram did some damage control with a 55-run stand. But when they got out, Bangladesh tightened the screws. Saqlain got run out for 21 and Bangladesh won the match by 62 runs.
This historic win proved to be a huge reason why Bangladesh was awarded the Test status in 2000.
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4. Kenya defeat Sri Lanka in 2003 World Cup
Kenya defeat Sri Lanka in 2003 World Cup. (Photo Source: ICC)
Kenya had a dream run in the 2003 World Cup, which they co-hosted with South Africa and Zimbabwe. New Zealand refused to tour Kenya, forfeiting their match and giving four points to the opponents. Then Kenya faced Sri Lanka, who won the toss and chose to bowl.
Opener Kennedy Otieno scored 60 and with Hitesh Modi and Maurice Odumbe scoring 29 runs each, Kenya posted 210/9. Chaminda Vaas took 3 wickets and Muttiah Muralitharan took 4/28. It was certainly not a match-winning total, but at least the bowlers had something to fight with.
Martin Suji gave the perfect start by clean bowling Sanath Jayasuriya. And then Collins Obuya’s show began. He picked wickets of Hasan Tillakaratne, Aravinda de Silva, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, and Chaminda Vaas, to finish with 5/24. Other Sri Lankan batters faltered as well under pressure and Lankans were bowled out for 157 runs.
Kenya won by 53 runs in the end and thanks to these results qualified for the Super 6s and the semi-finals.
5. Ireland defeat Pakistan in the 2007 World Cup
The 2007 World Cup is considered to be one of the worst events for two reasons- one being the format was too long and second big teams like India and Pakistan were eliminated in the first round itself. And one of the upsets was Ireland defeating Pakistan in Jamaica.
Ireland captain Trent Johnston won the toss and chose to bowl under overcast conditions. Pakistan batters’ poor showing with the ball swinging both ways meant that they only made 132 runs. Kamran Akmal and Imran Nazir were the only two to go past the 20-run mark.
In reply, the whole Irish innings was shouldered by Niall O’Brien. He made 72 runs and with contributions from here and there, took Ireland home with 3 wickets in hand. Pakistani bowlers did everything they could including taking early wickets. But the total was too low for them to defend. For Ireland, this was an impressive way to celebrate their World Cup debut.
6. India get stunned by Bangladesh in the 2007 World Cup
Meanwhile, in the other group, India and Bangladesh had clashed in Trinidad. The pressure was on India, who had previously lost to Sri Lanka in their first match, to win and qualify for the Super 8s. While Sourav Ganguly (66) and Yuvraj Singh (47) did well, Mashrafe Mortaza’s 4/38 and three wickets each by Abdur Razzak and Mohammad Rafique restricted India to 191.
India needed to take early wickets and they did so. But half-centuries from Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Shakib Al Hasan, the big three of Bangladesh, ensured Bangladesh registered their maiden World Cup win over India by 5 runs. This result also meant India was knocked out of the 2007 World Cup.
Also check: Leading wicket-takers in ODI World Cup 2023
7. Ireland defeat England in the 2011 World Cup
Ireland defeat England in the 2011 World Cup. (Photo Source: ICC)
Ireland features again in our list of unforgettable moments. This time their victims were neighbors in England. The two sides clashed in Bengaluru in the 2011 World Cup and the match proved to be an all-time classic. It is still remembered as one of Ireland’s greatest wins in their cricketing history.
England batted first and posted 327/8. Jonathan Trott (92) led the way, while Kevin Pietersen (59), and Ian Bell (81) contributed as well. This was a daunting total, especially for a newbie team like Ireland, who were not known chasers.
Ireland started cautiously, but England kept picking wickets at regular intervals. At 111/5, even staunch Ireland supporters lost hope of a win. But then Kevin O’Brien decided that he would perform a miracle. He added 162 runs with Alex Cusack (47) and when Cusack got run out, switched into 6th gear.
Kevin hammered the then-fastest World Cup century in 50 balls and finished with 113 in 63 balls with 13 fours and 6 sixes. John Mooney then ensured O’Brien’s effort didn’t go to waste as Ireland won by 3 wickets in the last over. This remains their biggest and most important win in ODI history.
8. Bangladesh defeat England in the 2015 World Cup
Bangladesh defeat England in the 2015 World Cup. (Photo Source: ICC
England had a horrid outing in the 2015 World Cup right from the start. They won only 2 matches, against Scotland and Afghanistan in their group, but their biggest and heart-breaking loss came against Bangladesh.
The match was played in Adelaide and Bangladesh had a chance to finish in the top four and qualify for the knockouts. Eoin Morgan won the toss and chose to field first. Mahmudullah slammed the first World Cup century for Bangladesh and with Mushfiqur Rahim making 89, took the team to 275/7.
Ian Bell made 63 upfront, but Bangladesh took important wickets at the right intervals. Rubel Hossain starred with four wickets, while Mashrafe Mortaza and Taskin Ahmed took two each. Even a 65 from James Taylor couldn’t help England as they were dismissed for 260 runs and lost by 15 runs.
This sent Bangladesh into the quarterfinals of the ICC World Cup 2015 and knocked England out of competition. This remains the only instance of Bangladesh reaching the knockouts of the ICC event.