Five instances when associate teams defeated full-members in World Cups
The World Cup is deemed to be the pinnacle of limited-overs cricket. Going into the mega event, even as some teams are deemed as favourites and dark horses, a few of them enter as the ones, who aren’t expected to do much. But at times, the so-called minnows rise like a phoenix from the ashes, decimating their opponents. The World Cup, both ODI and T20, has seen quite a few instances when associate members of the ICC turn some of the giants around.
Let’s take a look at five World Cup games where associate teams got the better of full-member nations:
Bangladesh beat Pakistan, 1999 World Cup
Pakistan, the finalists of the 1999 World Cup, couldn’t survive the heat against a vibrant Bangladesh unit, losing by 62 runs. At the County Ground in Northampton, Wasim Akram and Co restricted the Tigers to 223 for nine, but there was something miserable waiting for them in the second innings.
Pakistan’s top-five got scores of 9, 2, 0, 7 and 5. Khaled Mahmud Sujon was the wrecker in chief as he picked up three of those wickets. The lower order chipped in with a few 20s, but Bangladesh were already all over their rivals. In the end, Pakistan were shot out for 161 in their 44.3 overs.
Netherlands beat England, 2009 T20 World Cup
#OnThisDay in 2009, the Men’s #T20WorldCup started with a bang as Netherlands held their nerve in a last-ball thriller to defeat England by 4️⃣ wickets ?
?️ WATCH the ? highlights ? pic.twitter.com/9Xt999aBNo
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) June 5, 2020
The opening game of the 2009 T20 World Cup at the iconic Lord’s was a witness to a thrilling encounter. Netherlands made hosts England sweat and eventually beat them by four wickets off the last ball. The Brits, on the backs of Ravi Bopara’s 46 and Luke Wright’s 71, put up 162 on the board.
In the run-chase, Netherlands lost two wickets early, but the middle-order steadied the ship. Tom de Grooth’s 49 and Peter Borren’s 30 took the Dutch closer. Ryan ten Doeschate’s cameo of 22 helped. The game could have been tied, but Stuart Broad conceded Netherlands an overthrow, in search of a run-out, and a win.
Ireland beat Pakistan, 2007 World Cup
Not even the optimists would have given Ireland a chance to beat Pakistan in the 2007 World Cup. But playing their first WC, Ireland gave an account of themselves, coming out trumps by three wickets. To start with, the bowlers ensured that Inzamam-ul-Haq and his team could only muster 132 runs.
Ireland had their hiccups during their chase, losing wickets regularly. But from one end, Niall O’Brien looked hard as nails. He got 72 off 107 and got out when his team needed 20. After his dismissal, it was Kevin O’Brien’s uncharacteristic, but patient 52-ball 16 that took Ireland over the line and knocked Pakistan out of the tournament.
Kenya beat West Indies, 1996 World Cup
Back in 1996, West Indies were still one of the top teams. However, Kenya gave them a reality check in the World Cup, defeating them comprehensively by 73 runs. Maurice Odumbe’s Kenya were bowled out for 166 and the Caribbean team was expected to chase the target down in a canter.
But in the run-chase, only Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Roger Harper got into the double digits. For Kenya, skipper Odumbe and Rajab Ali picked up three wickets each. Odumbe conceded only 15 runs in his 10 overs, fetching him the Player of the Match award. West Indies were bowled out for 93.
Ireland beat England, 2011 World Cup
As we look back at Ireland’s finest international moments ahead of their maiden men’s Test, how could we not revisit @KevinOBrien113 scoring the fastest World Cup century off just 50 balls against England in 2011! ? pic.twitter.com/baKTzIsehT
— ICC (@ICC) May 9, 2018
After turning over Pakistan in 2007, Ireland blasted England in 2011. At the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, William Porterfield’s men beat the Brits by three wickets courtesy Player of the Match Kevin O’Brien’s 63-ball 113. Batting first, the Three Lions notched a mammoth 329 in their 50 overs.
Ireland’s top-order got into the 20s and 30s, but couldn’t convert. In the last 25.4 overs, Ireland needed 219 runs at 8.54. O’Brien had other plans and he carted 13 fours and six sixes in his knock. Alex Cusack’s 47 and John Mooney’s unbeaten 33 took Ireland to victory with five balls to spare.
