CWC: Top five biggest upsets in ODI World Cup history

South Africa is called the biggest choker in the World Cup tournament. In the Semi-final of the 1999 World Cup, they were defeated by Zimbabwe.

With Afghanistan defeating England on Sunday, the ICC Men’s Cricket World 2023 witnessed the greatest upset of the tournament. However, this is not the first time that a low-raking team has beaten a higher-ranked side. Here is the list of five such incidents when the World Cup saw a major upset:

Zimbabwe v India: 1999

Brothers Andy Flower and Grant Flower guided Zimbabwe to a total of 252. India were comfortable 174/4 in the 33rd over until Zimbabwe quick Henry Olonga struck to claim all the remaining scalps in the one over.

Source: ICC

Bangladesh v Pakistan: 1999

Akram Khan (42) and Shahriar Hossain (39) put up spirited efforts to help Bangladesh reach a total of 223 runs. Pakistan started crumbling from the start as they were 42/5. Pakistan lost the match by 62 runs.

Source: ICC

Zimbabwe v South Africa: 1999

South Africa is called the biggest choker in the World Cup tournament. In the Semi-final of the 1999 World Cup, they were defeated by Zimbabwe. South Africa fell 48 runs short of the chase. 

Source: ICC

Bangladesh v India: 2007

The opener made 66 to at least guarantee that India set a challenging target of 192. However, the fifties to Tamim Iqbal and Shahriar Nafees helped debutant Bangladesh to beat India. 

Source: ICC

Afghanistan v England: 2023

Riding on Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s onslaught followed by Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s all-round performance, Afghanistan produced the biggest upset of the ongoing ODI World Cup, trouncing defending champions and one of the top contenders for the crown, England.

Source: ICC

COMMENTS