12 Biggest Upsets by Associate Nations in ODIs

One-day cricket has seen some unforgettable upsets with the minnows upsetting the strong teams. Yesterday was one of such encounter was witnessed where Scotland defeated England by 6 runs in highly electrifying match. The number 1 team lost to number 13 and stunned the Englishmen in a high-scoring encounter at the Grange Cricket Club on Sunday.

Top 12 Upsets in ODIs by Minnows (Associate nations) 

1. Australia vs Zimbabwe at Nottingham, 1983 World Cup: Zimbabwe win by 13 runs

Up against the tough Aussies, the World Cup debutants led by Duncan Fletcher pulled off an amazing victory. Put in to bat, the Zimbabweans scored 239 for six after wobbling at 94/5. Skipper Fletcher’s led from the front and played 69 not out crucial innings, Little cameos from Iain Butchart (34*) and Kevin Curran (27).

In reply, Zimbabwe put Australia under immense pressure with some brilliant fielding and disciplined bowling, half of the Australia side was in pavilion at the score of 138. Fletcher was also hero with a ball as he picked 4 wickets by conceding 42 runs and Australia fell short by 13 runs

Brief scores: Zimbabwe 239 for 6 in 60 overs (Duncan Fletcher 69*; Dennis Lillee 2 for 47, Graham Yallop 2 for 29) beat Australia 226 for 7 in 60 overs (Kepler Wessels 76, Rodney Marsh 50; Duncan Fletcher 4 for 42) by 13 runs.

2. England vs Zimbabwe at Albury, 1992 World Cup: Zimbabwe win by nine runs

It was the last league match of the World Cup 1992 and England were already through to the semi-final. Ian Botham (3/23) and Richard Illingworth (3/33) dismissed Zimbabwe for a measly 134, a target that shouldn’t have challenged them. But, Eddo Brandes troubled the Englishmen with fiery bowling. Brandes went on to take four off the top five and England had drooping to 43 for five.

Neil Fairbrother (20) and Alex Stewart (29) tried to salvage the England batting but they were bowled out for 125 in the last over.

Brief scores: Zimbabwe 134 in 46.1 overs (Dave Houghton 29; Ian Botham 3 for 23, Richard Illingworth 3 for 33) beat England 125 in 49.1 overs (Alec Stewart 29; Eddo Brandes 4 for 21) by 9 runs.

3. Kenya vs West Indies at Pune, 1996 World Cup: Kenya won by 73 runs

The biggest upset of the Wills World Cup 1996. It was assumed that West Indies side will win the match quite comfortably after bowling the Kenya to lowest total of 166 runs but remarkable spell from Rajab Ali as he dismissed Richie Richardson and Brian Lara early in the innings to set the game for his team.

From being stunned at 33 for three, collapse for West Indies continued and were ultimately bowled out for 93. Shivnarine Chanderpaul was the top scorer with 19.

Brief scores: Kenya 166 in 49.3 overs (Steve Tikolo 29; Courtney Walsh 3 for 46, Roger Harper 3 for 15) beat West Indies 93 in 35.2 overs (Shivnarine Chanderpaul 19; Rajab Ali 3 for 17, Maurice Odumbe 3/15) by 73 runs.

4.India vs Kenya at Gwalior, Coca-Cola Triangular Series 1998: Kenya win by 69 runs

The Coca-Cola Triangular series of 1998 had India pitted against Bangladesh and India. India making it to the final Coca-Cola Triangular series of 1998 as it was anticipated and it was supposed to be a battle between Bangladesh and Kenya for being the other finalist. Surprisingly, the Kenyans shocked the Indian team and fans all over the world. Maurice Odumbe, Ravindu Shah and Hitesh Modi struck fifties to take Kenya to 265.

Then, a batting line-up comprising of players like Sachin Tendulkar, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Rahul Dravid, Nayan Mongia, Robin Singh, Mohammad Azharuddin collapsed under pressure and India were bundled out on 196 runs. With Steve Tikolo and Maurice Odumbe picking up 3 wickets each. Couple of days later, India returned the favour with a nine-wicket victory over Kenya in the final at Kolkata.

Brief scores: Kenya 265 for 5 in 50 overs (Ravindu Shah 70, Maurice Odumbe 83, Hitesh Modi 51; Anil Kumble 2 for 27) beat India 196 (Rahul Dravid 33; Steve Tikolo 3 for 29, Maurice Odumbe 3 for 14) by 69 runs.

5. Bangladesh vs Pakistan at Northampton, 1999 World Cup: Bangladesh win by 62 runs

After winning the toss Pakistan put Bangladesh into bat and they posted modest total 223 runs on the board, Shahriar Hossain made 39 runs and Akram Khan 42 runs from 66 balls. Saqlain Mushtaq picked fifer, 5 for 35. In response, Pakistan were reduced to 42 for five in 12.3 overs.

Khaled Mahmud’s bowled tricky spell and picked early 3 wickets. Though Azhar Mahmood (29) and Wasim Akram (29) tried stabilize innings but were bowled out for 161 and result Bangladesh won the match by 62 runs. This upset took Bangladesh cricket into the fame and played a massive role in getting them Test status a year after.

Brief scores: Bangladesh 223 for 9 in 50 overs (Akram Khan 42; Saqlain Mushtaq 5 for 35) beat Pakistan 161 in 44.3 overs (Azhar Mahmood 29, Wasim Akram 29; Khaled Mahmud 3 for 31) by 62 runs.

6. Bangladesh vs Australia at Cardiff, NatWest Series 2005: Bangladesh win by five wickets

The Australians team was not in best form as the tour started. But, against Bangladesh, in their tri-series 2^nd match, it was not expected that they will play complacent cricket. The Bangladesh seamers provided perfect start as Australians were reduced 3/57 but a sound partnership of 102 runs from Damien Martyn and Michael Clarke, they recovered and posted fighting total of 249 runs on the score board.  

In response Bangladesh start was also not so good, but Mohammad Ashraful took control of the game with Habibul Bashar to put Bangladesh on track. Ashraful was dismissed for exactly 100 with Bangladesh on the edge of making history. Some courageous batting down the order by Aftab Ahmed helped Bangladesh win the game in the last over.

Brief scores: Australia 249 for 5 in 50 overs (Damien Martyn 77, Michael Clarke 54; Tapash Baishya 3 for 69) lost to Bangladesh 250 for 5 in 49.2 overs (Mohammad Ashraful 100, Habibul Bashar 47; Jason Gillespie 2 for 41) by 5 wickets.