Cricket
The Greatest Cricket Upsets Across Test, ODI, and T20
In this article, we take a look at some of the most notable upsets in each format of cricket.
Team USA celebrating win against Pakistan//Getty Images
The inherent uncertainty of cricket leads to many unexpected events which is the reason behind the several surprises we have seen during its history. In the last several years, there have been instances when lower-ranked teams or even associate teams defeated international teams that are acknowledged as the titans in cricket. This article discusses some of the most significant upsets in the three cricket formats - Tests, One Day Internationals, and Twenty-Twenty Internationals. These upsets have a long list, but we have boiled it down to five instances from every format, each instance presented in random order.
Biggest upsets in Test cricket
West Indies defeat Australia, 2003
On May 13, 2003, West Indies pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Test cricket, against the Steve Waugh-led Australia in the final Test of a four-match series at Antigua Recreation Ground. Australia, having already won the first three Tests, were aiming for a clean sweep and to hold on to their World No. 1 Test team position. The hosts posted 240 in their first innings, with Justin Langer top-scoring with 42. Jermaine Lawson was the star for West Indies, taking seven wickets.
West Indies matched Australia’s score of 240, with captain Brian Lara leading with 68. In Australia’s second innings, Langer and Matthew Hayden built a 242-run partnership, helping set a target of 418. Despite early setbacks, West Indies fought back with centuries from Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Contributions from Omari Banks and Vasbert Drakes also helped them chase down the target, achieving the highest run chase in Test history at that time.
Zimbabwe defeat Pakistan, 2013
Zimbabwe was granted Test status by the ICC in July 1992. Since then, they have participated in 113 Tests, winning 13 wins, losing 75 and drawing 25. Their most memorable victory came against Pakistan in 2013, marking their first win over a major Test nation in over a decade, aside from Bangladesh. Playing at Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe started strong by putting up 294 runs in their first innings, with Hamilton Masakadza scoring a crucial 75.
Pakistan, led by Misbah ul Haq, struggled in their reply, managing only 230, giving Zimbabwe a 64-run lead. In the second innings, Tinotenda Mawoyo’s half-century helped Zimbabwe set a challenging target of 264 for Pakistan. Despite the expectations that Pakistan would comfortably chase it down, Zimbabwe’s Tendai Chatara delivered an outstanding performance. His five-wicket haul stunned Pakistan, securing Zimbabwe a thrilling 24-run victory and ending their long wait for a victory against a top-tier cricket team.
West Indies defeat England, 2017
The West Indies' 2017 victory over England at Headingley came as a surprise to the cricket world and ended the visitor's winless streak in England that had been ongoing since 2000. The West Indies were the underdogs of the match, especially after the first Test where they lost 19 wickets in just one day.
The second Test, however, told a different story. Shai Hope became the first player to hit two centuries in a match at Headingley, scoring 147 and an unbeaten 118. Kraigg Brathwaite also contributed with scores of 134 and 95.
Their performances led West Indies to a historic win, which was only their third overseas Test victory since 2000.
Bangladesh defeat New Zealand, 2022
In 2022, Bangladesh pulled off a remarkable win over New Zealand, ending the Kiwis' 17-match unbeaten run at home with an emphatic eight-wicket victory at Mount Maunganui. This marked Bangladesh’s first-ever win in New Zealand across all formats, and they did it without key players like Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman.
Although they were considered the underdogs, the young Bangladesh squad outperformed the reigning World Test champions. New Zealand posted 328 in their first innings, led by Devon Conway’s century, but Bangladesh responded strongly with 458, securing a 130-run lead. Ebadot Hossain's brilliant bowling, taking 6/46, dismantled New Zealand for 169 in the second innings. Bangladesh comfortably chased the 40-run target, sealing a historic victory and one of their finest moments in Test cricket.
India defeat Australia, 2021
India, in 2021, registered a historic Test win over Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane, even though they were without many of their regular players because of injuries. With a largely inexperienced team, which also had two debutants, India had to fight a full-strength Australian side in the final of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
Australia posted 369 in their first innings, and India replied with 336, trailing by 33 runs. Australia then set a challenging target of 328, which had never been chased at the Gabba before.
Shubman Gill’s 91 and Rishabh Pant’s unbeaten 89 were crucial in India’s record-breaking chase of 329 for seven, surpassing the previous highest successful chase at the Gabba. This victory not only sealed the series 2-1 but also marked a historic moment for India, as they became the first team to breach Australia’s fortress in Brisbane in 32 years.
Biggest upsets in ODI cricket
India defeat the West Indies, 1983
India's historic win against the West Indies in the 1983 World Cup final is considered one of the greatest upsets in ODI cricket. The Indian team, captained by Kapil Dev, was facing the two-time defending champions at Lord's. Batting first, India scored only 183 runs, a score that should have been a walk in the park for the mighty West Indies.
However, India's bowlers put up a stellar performance. Madan Lal, Mohinder Amarnath, and Kapil Dev himself kept the West Indian batsmen under pressure.
A turning point came when Kapil Dev took a brilliant running catch to dismiss Vivian Richards, who was looking dangerous. After that, wickets tumbled, and West Indies were eventually bowled out for just 140, giving India a remarkable 43-run victory and their first World Cup.
Kapil Dev Winning 1983 World Cup
Zimbabwe defeat Australia, 1983
In the 1983 World Cup, Zimbabwe pulled off a major upset by defeating Australia in their debut match at Trent Bridge. Zimbabwe, led by Duncan Fletcher, posted a solid total of 239 for six from 60 overs, with Fletcher scoring an unbeaten 69.
Australia, a strong side featuring stars like Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson, and Allan Border, were expected to chase the target comfortably. However, Fletcher’s all-round brilliance continued as he took four wickets for 42 runs, helping to restrict Australia to 226 for seven. Zimbabwe won by 13 runs, marking a historic moment in their cricketing journey.
Kenya defeat the West Indies, 1996
In the 1996 Cricket World Cup, Kenya achieved a remarkable upset by defeating the West Indies by 73 runs in Pune. This victory was historic as it marked the first time a non-Test-playing nation defeated a Test-playing nation in World Cup history.
Kenya batted first, scoring 164 runs, with notable contributions from players like Steve Tikolo. However, the real magic happened with the ball. Off-spinner Maurice Odumbe was exceptional, taking three wickets for just 15 runs in his 10 overs.
The West Indies, boasting a talented lineup that included stars like Brian Lara and Richie Richardson, struggled against Odumbe’s spin and crumbled for a mere 93 runs while chasing the target. Kenya's stunning win not only shocked the cricketing community but also inspired future generations of cricketers in associate nations.
Afghanistan defeat England, 2023
In the 2023 Cricket World Cup, Afghanistan achieved a stunning victory over England, winning by 69 runs. Batting first, Afghanistan set a competitive total of 284 runs, thanks to strong performances from Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ikram Alikhil, both scoring fifties. This total marked Afghanistan’s second-highest score in World Cup history.
When England began their chase, they struggled against a disciplined Afghan bowling attack. Mujeeb ur Rahman and Rashid Khan both delivered outstanding performances, each claiming three wickets. The bowlers effectively restricted England to just 215 runs, well short of the target.
India defeat Bangladesh, 2007
The 2007 World Cup match between India and Bangladesh remains a historic moment for Bangladesh cricket. In a shocking upset, Bangladesh defeated India, leading to a humiliating exit for the Indian team from the tournament.
Bangladesh's bowlers, particularly Mashrafe Mortaza and Abdur Razzaq, dismantled the Indian batting lineup, which struggled to cope with their pace and accuracy. Despite efforts from Sourav Ganguly and Yuvraj Singh to stabilize the innings, India collapsed dramatically, losing their last six wickets for just 34 runs, finishing with a disappointing total which Bangladesh chased down with half-centuries from Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, and Mushfiqur Rahim.
Biggest upsets in T20I cricket
USA defeat Pakistan, 2024
In the 2024 T20 World Cup, co-hosts United States achieved a monumental upset by defeating Pakistan, marking one of the biggest surprises in T20 history.
After winning the toss, the USA chose to field first, with Pakistan setting a competitive total of 159 runs. The USA matched that score, resulting in a Super Over to decide the winner.
In the Super Over, the USA batted first, scoring 18 runs. Saurabh Netravalkar was the bowler for the USA and faced a tense situation in the final ball, where Pakistan needed seven runs to win after losing Iftikhar Ahmed. Netravalkar held his nerve, allowing just one run off the last ball, securing a historic victory for the USA.
USA's players celebrating//Getty Images
Netherlands defeat England, 2009
The T20 World Cup of 2009, which was held in England, saw one of the major surprises when the Netherlands stunned the hosts in a group stage match at Lord's. England, considered one of the favourites to win the tournament, batted first and scored 162 runs for the loss of five wickets. Ravi Bopara contributed 46 runs, while Luke Wright top-scored with 71 runs, forming a century partnership that gave England a solid total. Ryan ten Doeschate was the standout bowler for the Netherlands, taking two wickets for 35 runs.
Despite a shaky start where they lost two wickets in the powerplay, the Netherlands made a remarkable comeback. Tom de Grooth scored 49 runs, Peter Borren added 30, and ten Doeschate contributed 22 not out. The Dutch chased down the target dramatically, winning by four wickets on the last ball.
Namibia defeat Sri Lanka, 2022
During the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, Namibia stunned everyone by defeating Sri Lanka by a remarkable 55 runs. In Geelong, Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to field first. Namibia’s Jan Frylinck scored 44 runs to help the team reach a total of 163 for seven wickets.
When Sri Lanka batted, they struggled against a disciplined Namibian bowling attack. David Wiese, Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo, and Frylinck each took two wickets, with JJ Smit adding one, resulting in Sri Lanka collapsing for just 108 runs.
Afghanistan defeat West Indies, 2016
In the 2016 T20 World Cup, Afghanistan stunned the cricketing world by defeating two-time champions West Indies.
Batting first, Afghanistan managed to score 123 runs for seven wickets, with Samuel Badree's impressive bowling performance earning him three wickets. Although the total seemed modest, Afghanistan's bowlers rose to the occasion. Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi each took two wickets, leading a disciplined bowling attack that restricted West Indies to just 117 runs for eight wickets.
Netherlands defeat South Africa, 2022
In a dramatic turn of events during the 2022 T20 World Cup, the Netherlands secured an upset by defeating South Africa.
Batting first, the Netherlands posted a decent total of 159 runs against a formidable South African bowling attack. Despite the target seeming achievable, South Africa's batting lineup faltered. Bas de Leede, Brandon Glover, and Fred Klaassen were instrumental in keeping South Africa in check, each contributing crucial wickets at key moments. In the end, the Netherlands' disciplined bowling performance restricted the Proteas to 145 runs, securing a remarkable 13-run victory.
FAQs
The biggest upset at the 1983 ODI World Cup was India's victory over the West Indies in the final. India, led by Kapil Dev, scored only 183 runs but managed to bowl out the West Indies for just 140, clinching the title and marking India's first World Cup win.
Zimbabwe achieved a historic victory over Pakistan in Test cricket in 2013. This was significant as it marked Zimbabwe's first win against a major Test nation in over a decade, with a thrilling 24-run victory at Harare Sports Club.
Umaima Saeed is a professional sports writer whose articles have been featured in several leading websites. She writes long-form content on sports, particularly cricket. She has a penchant for telling human-interest stories. Umaima has contributed articles on cricket to more than a dozen publications, both in print and online.