We always watch cricket for the best teams that exist in this current world. But we don’t know that there are many countries which have immense potential and have also won against big teams. Zimbabwe’s victory over Australia came after 31 years. This type of match gives motivation and happiness to the underdog players. There are many teams that have put in efforts to play with the best teams of the world like Afghanistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Hong Kong. Today I will show you ten such underdog matches which will blow up your mind.
1. Zimbabwe VS Australia, 2007 World T20
After winning against the Caribbean a few months back, Zimbabwe was on fire, and they were ready to play against any big team. Few months after they won against the Caribbean, Australia was one of their pre-tournament favourites. The first match in the world T20 was between Zimbabwe and Australian which Zimbabwe won by 5 wickets on the 2nd last ball. Australia was restricted to 138 which Brendon Taylor of Zimbabwe had smashed 60 runs in just 45 balls to take Zimbabwe to a decent win, and that marks the most fascinating underdog match in cricket history.
2. Kenya VS West Indies, 1996 WC
The West Indies lagged with a total score of 166 runs in the game against minnows. Kenya was eliminated with 93 runs. Chander Paul topped the list with 19 points. What is interesting is that the extras in the match made them score for Kenya in this game. This was Kenya's first official ODI victory. Furthermore, this was the first time that the West Indies had lost to a partner country. However, despite losing to Kenya, West Indies reached the semi-finals, eventually losing to Australia. Maurice Odumbe won the game with a score of 315.
3. Australia Vs Bangladesh, 2005
Bangladesh, England and Australia had participated in the tri-series held in England. At first, Australia had a bad start but managed to reach 249 when Clark and Martin had 50 each. In pursuit of the goal, Bangladesh added 72-3 at 21 overs, and Australia was engrossed. The young Bangladeshi man named Mohammed Ashraful scored 100 with captain Habibul Bashar. Aftab Ahmed then ended the game with a six, and the crowd in Sophia Garden went crazy. At that time, Bangladesh was considered to be a small team, and its victory over mighty Australia was one of the biggest victories for the underdog in cricket.
4. England VS Ireland, 2011 WC
In their second World Cup, Ireland defeated England after chasing 330 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. The required run rate for Ireland had reached 8 in the game, and Ireland took the batting powerplay. Kevin O'Brien began to strike English bowlers throughout the match and made it to century in just 50 deliveries, the fastest record of 100 in the World Cup. Ireland won the match with five balls left, shocking the cricket world.
5. Netherland VS England, 2009 T20 WC
The 2009 T20 World Cup started with the host facing the Dutch fish. Batting first, England made a brilliant start under the partnership of Ravi Bopara and Luke Wright, but the Dutch team had been limited to 162. The Dutch team had a poor start when they came to bat, but they were back on track due to 49 in just 30 delivery from Dirk Nannes. Ryan Doeschate then went to the end of the game and just needed 7 in the last over. In the final over, the Dutchman needed to score 2 to win. Defeating England in the first game in the Mecca of Cricket couldn’t have been any better for the Dutch team.
6. Hong Kong VS Bangladesh, 2014 WC T20
It was the qualifiers for the T20 World Cup to consolidate their position in the main groups. Both the teams needed to win to increase their chances. Bangladesh, which played in front of the home audience and the better among the two teams, was surprised to be sent off in 108 runs, of which four players had zero against their names. The Bangladesh team worked hard and tried their best, but Hong Kong beat Bangladesh in Bangladesh and created history. This is the biggest win in an underdog match because Hong Kong is not a mature cricket country.
7. India VS West Indies, WC 1983 Final
The bookmarkers quoted India to win the World Cup 66-1 before the game. India though defended 183 runs against the mighty West Indies where legends like Desmond Haynes, Gordon Greenidge, Viv Richards, and Clive Lloyd were the greatest batting line-up of all time. Fighting and defeating against the mighty West Indies, Indian team made this one of the biggest cricket underdog victories in the subcontinent. Since that victory, India has now become a cricket powerhouse.
8. India VS Zimbabwe, 1999 WC
In the group stage of the 1999 World Cup, Zimbabwe had disastrously defeated India. While chasing 253, they were with a score of 246/7 in a 44.1 over. The Indian team lost three wickets on five balls in three runs and therefore lost the game by three runs. Henry Olonga took the last three wickets. At the beginning of the game, Zimbabwe’s player Grant Flower played a knock off at 68, which took the score to 252 in 50 overs while India was fined four overs for a slow over-rate. What didn't work in that match was that striker batsman Sachin Tendulkar didn't play the game.
9. Bangladesh VS Pakistan, 1999 WC
Bangladesh made its debut in the World Cup, and it was a surprise that they beat Pakistan by 62 runs. Batting first, Bangladesh made 223, with Akram Khan leading with 42 as the top scorer. While chasing runs, the Pakistan team had a bleak start, falling to 42-5. Pakistan was unable to recover from early wickets, which led to an all-out in 161. To celebrate this victory, Bangladesh announces this day as a holiday.
10. Zimbabwe VS New Zealand, 2011 Bilateral Series
ZThe series was already in the hands of New Zealand which was looking to catch it all and to whitewash. Centuries from Rose Taylor and Ken Williamson took to 329 on their first innings, and the New Zealanders were ready for this win. Zimbabwe reached 183/5 after 30 and then after Taylor and Taibu were in run-a-ball till 50s. Elton Chigumbura and Malcolm Waller then added 95 runs in 14 overs to keep the chase within reach. Chigumbura was bowled out, but Waller without getting out finished the game with a score of 99.
