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regular-article-logo Saturday, 04 May 2024

As Afghanistan demolish England, here's a look at the greatest World Cup upsets

From the mighty Australian side to Team India, all powerhouses in world cricket have tasted defeats from underdogs

Our Web Desk Published 15.10.23, 11:01 PM
The World Cup trophy.

The World Cup trophy. File Photo

Afghanistan pulled off an upset of epic proportions by humbling defending champions England in the ODI World Cup. After setting a 285-run target, the Afghans were clinical with the ball, ensuring the Poms fumble with the bat at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.

For Afghanistan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz delivered with a quickfire 80, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan picked three wickets each to expose England's weakness against spin bowling.

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Time to take a look at the biggest upsets in World Cup history:

* 1983 | Kapil Dev-led India humble the mighty 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 register surprise win over 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 come out as giant killers versus 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's dramatic win over 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 | Fledgling Bangladesh down Wasim Akram's 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 leave India high and dry: 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.

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