The games deemed one-sided frequently turn out to be the most thrilling ones. They are the ones where the side that was losing, wins. They are the ones when the underdog surprises everyone and entertains and impresses. The unexpected has also happened a fair amount in cricket. Let us look at the games that forever altered the cricket world.
1. Netherlands Vs South Africa (2022 World Cup)
In the 2022 T20 world cup, the Netherlands beat South Africa by 13 runs in the group match. It was an important match for South Africa. Everyone thought that they would win this and go to the top of the table. However, the Netherlands beat South Africa quite comfortably and surprised the entire cricket world. This defeat pushed South Africa out of the world cup.
2. Zimbabwe Vs Pakistan (2022 World Cup)
On Thursday, Zimbabwe defeated Pakistan by one run in a match for the T20 World Cup 2022. After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Zimbabwe scored 130/8. Shan Masood led the way with 44 off 38 balls, but Pakistan ultimately fell short because they could not achieve the final three runs in the game. Everyone was shocked because of this loss, Pakistan was almost out of the world cup.
3. Ireland Vs England (2011 World Cup)
Even though they played the strongest team in the world, England should have won with 327 runs on board. Everything was going according to plan for the Englishmen until Kevin O’Brien took the crease. His astounding display of complete game mastery gave Ireland the victory, and his memorable innings will go down in history. One of the biggest upsets in sports history occurred during this World Cup game between two of the sport's oldest adversaries.
4. India Vs West Indies (1983 World Cup)
India had made a low total of 183 in the world cup final. West Indies were the defending world cup champions, and it was a straightforward target for them. WI started well. However, the match turned around when the Indian bowlers started taking regular wickets. Everyone was surprised when India beat the world champions West Indies.
5. Zimbabwe Vs India (1999 World Cup)
The Flower brothers, Andy and Grant, significantly aided Zimbabwe's 252 runs, an impressive number for a squad of their caliber. India had to bat with four fewer overs due to a slow overrate, but that should not have been an issue. Before Olonga's match-winning stint, in which she took three wickets in just 12 balls, the situation was very calm. It resulted in a victory for the underdogs.
6. Bangladesh Vs India (2007 World Cup)
This encounter versus Bangladesh did not go India's way at a World Cup that did not quite go their way (perhaps the only country in the Indian peninsula not so well-known for its cricket). The legendary Indian batters were decimated by Mashrafe Mortaza while the spinners took care of the rest. There wasn't much time left in the competition because the target was so low—192—and Tamim Iqbal quickly wrapped up the game. Bangladesh marched to a straightforward victory.
7. Kenya Vs West Indies (1996 World Cup)
Losing to Kenya when West Indies was at its best was incredibly unlikely. Some may even call it impossible. The West Indies got out by the Kenyan pacers after being reduced to a meager total of 160 runs. This incredible achievement is to be remembered for many years to come.
8. Bangladesh Vs India (2016 World Cup)
When Mushfiqr got a boundary and reduced the situation to 2 from 3 balls, Bangladesh needed six from 4 balls. The entire Bangladeshi team and supporters got into the party mood. We also witnessed the youthful Hardik Pandya's tremendous maturity as he maintained his composure to take two wickets in only two deliveries. It came down to the final ball, and everyone knew that Dhoni's sprint that day could have won any race. He quickly removed the bails to run out the batsman on the final ball. By one run, India won.
9. India Vs England (2013 Champions Trophy)
At the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham on June 23, 2013, India overcame England by five runs to win the ICC Champions Trophy. The Indian team played outstandingly in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy championship game. India could only make 129 runs, and everyone thought its England’s game. However, the Indian bowlers did a terrific job and won India the match by five runs.
10. Ireland Vs Pakistan (2007 World Cup)
Most people would have written off the obscure Irish cricket squad before the game began. Thus, the game's development was, to put it mildly, somewhat unexpected. Niall O’Brien walked out to bat after limiting Pakistan to 132 and mercilessly hammered the ball left, right, and center, producing a historic underdog moment in the game and elevating Irish cricket to prominence.
