Top 7 biggest upsets in the history of Cricket World Cup

Cricket World Cup (source-Twitter)

The 2023 ODI Cricket World Cup is just a week away. The first game of the tournament will witness England take on New Zealand. The two will play the re-match of the 2019 World Cup Finals. The game ended in heartbreak and upset a million Kiwi fans.

Cricket World Cup games have always produced excitement and fascinating encounters. Over the previous 12 editions, there have been some massive giant-killing acts as well. Here we take a look at the seven biggest upsets in the history of the Cricket World Cup.

Kenya beating West Indies -1996 Cricket World Cup – Pune

Kenya cricket (source-Twitter)

Batting first, Kenya were all out for just 166 on the board. The Kenyans though stunned everyone to cause the biggest upset of the tournament. The team consisting of Brian Lara was bowled out for 93. Only Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Roger Harper reached double figures for the West Indies.

Bangladesh beating Pakistan – 1999 Cricket World Cup – Northampton

Bangladesh Cricket (source-Twitter)

The classic David versus Goliath battle saw unfancied Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 62 runs. Batting first Bangladesh posted 223 for 9 from their 50 overs with Akram Khan scoring 42. Pakistan were all out for 161 to record the biggest upset of the tournament that year.

Kenya beating Sri Lanka – 2003 Cricket World Cup – Nairobi

Kenya Cricket (source-Twitter)

The Kenyans had shocked everyone during the tournament to reach the semi-finals. During the league phase playing at home Kenya caused the biggest upset. Sri Lanka were beaten by 53 runs in front of a capacity Nairobi crowd. Kenya batted first and scored 210/9, thanks to Kenny Otieno’s 60. Collins Obuya then picked 5/24 to bundle out Sri Lanka for 157.

Canada beating Bangladesh – 2003 Cricket World Cup –Johannesburg

Canada Cricket (source-Twitter)

Bangladesh was already a test-playing nation and was expected to beat Canada easily. The Canadians though caused a massive upset as they beat Bangladesh by 60 runs. Austin Codrington picked 5 wickets to bowl out Bangladesh for just 120 while chasing 181 to win.

Ireland beating Pakistan – 2007 Cricket World Cup – Jamaica

Ireland Cricket (source-Twitter)

17^th March 2007 will be a day that fans of India and Pakistan won’t forget. India had lost to Bangladesh at Port of Spain. In Jamaica, Ireland had beaten Pakistan by seven wickets. Pakistan batting first was bowled out for 132. Ireland won the game in the 42^nd over by 7 wickets.

Bangladesh beating South Africa – 2007 Cricket World Cup –Guyana

Bangladesh Cricket (source-Twitter)

Mohammad Ashraful’s 87 led Bangladesh to 251 on the board. South Africa were all out for 184 to give Bangladesh a huge win in the Super-Eight Stage. The win over India wasn’t the only massive upset caused by Bangladesh that year.

Ireland beating West Indies – 2015 Cricket World Cup – Nelson

Ireland Cricket (source-Twitter)

Lendl Simmons with 102 and Darren Sammy with 89 led West Indies to 304 for 7 from their 50 overs. Chasing 305 to win, Ireland saw Paul Stirling score 92 before Ed Joyce with 84 and Niall O Brien with 79 not out helped Ireland win the game.