The ODI World Cup is the biggest stage for any team and any player who plays the sport of cricket for their country. It features the top cricketing nations across the globe taking part in it. It came into existence for the first time in 1975 and has hosted 12 successful editions so far.
Australia has emerged victorious five times, which is the most. In the history of the tournament, there have been some games that ended with an unexpected result. More often than not, top teams win games against weaker teams, but on some occasions, smaller teams have registered wins against stronger teams than them. In this article, we will talk about the biggest upsets in the Cricket World Cup.
10. Kenya beat West Indies (1996 World Cup)
Kenya made history in the 1996 World Cup when they beat the mighty West Indies in the 20th game of the tournament. In the first inning, Kenya got out for just 166. But they bowled out the West Indies for 93 runs, winning by 73 runs to upset the two-time champions.
9. Zimbabwe beat Australia (1983 World Cup)
Zimbabwe entered the 1983 World Cup as an associate nation, but they shocked everyone by beating the Australians in the tournament. Batting first, Zimbabwe made 239/6 and restricted Australia to 226/7 to win the game by 13 runs. Australia couldn’t reach to semi-finals due to that.
8. Ireland beat England (2011 World Cup)
Ireland and England shared a rivalry in this game. It started when Ireland stunned the English team in the 2011 World Cup in India, and England couldn’t make it to the semis. Englanf made a big score of 327/8 in the first inning. Chasing the target, Kevin OBrien smashed the fastest World Cup hundred off 50 balls and helped his team reach 329/7 to win the game.
7. Bangladesh beat India (2007 World Cup)
India also suffered one of the major upsets in the Cricket World Cup. They couldn’t cross the group stage in the 2007 World Cup because they suffered an unexpected defeat against Bangladesh in their group match. Bangladesh bowled out India with some big names in it for just 191 runs and chased down 192/5 in 48.3 overs.
6. Kenya beat Sri Lanka (2003 World Cup)
Sri Lanka was considered one of the top sides before the 2003 World Cup, with some big names on it. But Kenya pulled off a spectacular win against them in the group stage to dent their dream. Kenya made 210/9 in the first inning and bowled out Sri Lanka for just 157 runs to win by 53 runs. Sri Lanka couldn’t cross the group stage in that tournament.
5. Bangladesh beat Pakistan (1999 World Cup)
Bangladesh made their debut in the ODI World Cup during the 1999 edition. And they impressed everyone in their first tournament by beating 1992 World Cup winner Pakistan. In the 29th game of the tournament, Bangladesh made 223/9 and dismissed Pakistan for 161, winning the game by 62 runs. Pakistan had the likes of Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saleem Malik and Moin Khan in their team.
4. Ireland beat Pakistan (2007 World Cup)
Ireland shocked everyone when they beat Pakistan in the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. They beat Pakistan in the group stage in Kingston. Batting first, Pakistan got all out for just 132 runs with the likes of Mohammad Hafeez, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, and Kamran Akmal. Ireland chased down 133/7 in 41.4 overs to win the game.
3. Bangladesh beat South Africa (2019 World Cup)
South Africa is one of the biggest teams in the game. But in 2019, they also suffered a defeat at the hands of Bangladesh. Batting first, Bangladesh made a huge score of 330/6 in the first inning and restricted South Africa to just 309/8 to win by 21 runs.
2. Zimbabwe beat South Africa (1999 World Cup)
Zimbabwe also stunned South Africa in the 1999 World Cup in Chelmsford. It was the 26th game of the tournament, and batting first, Zimbabwe made 233/6 in 50 overs. Everyone thought South Africa would win, but they got all out for 185 runs, and Zimbabwe won the game by 48 runs.
1. India beat West Indies (1983 ODI World Cup)
One of the biggest upsets in ODI World Cup history was when India won their maiden ODI World Cup. After winning the 1975 and 1979 World Cup, West Indies were on a roll and reached the finals of the 1983 edition. India were the dark horses and made it to the final after some brilliant individual performances. But they only managed a total of 183 runs in the final, which looked like a walk in the park for West Indies. But India bowled well and dismissed the mighty West Indies for 140 runs to lift the World Cup.