Biggest Upsets in Cricket World Cup (UPDATED)

Cricket World Cup has been one of the most fascinating cricket tournaments of all time. Cricket World Cup was started in 1975 in England and till now there have been a total of 11 tournaments. Several Nail biting Encounters have taken place in these tournament from 1975 to 2011 which have led to some of the biggest upsets in cricket world cup.

Biggest Upsets in Cricket World Cup

Australia vs South Africa 1999 world cup semi final

On 17th June 1999 the second semi final of the ICC cricket world cup took place at Edgbaston United Kingdom between South Africa and Australia. Australia batted first and scored 213 runs all out. Michael Beaven and Steve Waugh scored half centuries and helped their team score to cross over 200. Pakistan had already qualified for the final and the finalist of the tournament was to be decided by this Match. South Africa bowled exceptionally well and took Australian wickets cheaply. Shaun Pollock took a 5-wicket haul at an economy rate of 3.85 and he was supported well be Allan Donald who took 4 wickets at an economy rate of 3.20. South Africa started the chase confidently but soon started loosing wickets. Gary Kirsten and H Gibbs gave South Africa a start of 48 runs and after that the collapse started. Lance Klusner batted extremely well and helped his side come out of trouble until he was left with the last batsmen of the team. The scores got tied and at that point Allan Donald was run out and the match was tied. On good net run rate basis Australia was made through to the final and hence it was one of the biggest upsets in cricket world cup history. Australia almost lost but won due to their fate and led to their second world cup title.

Pakistan vs Ireland 2007 World Cup Pool Stage Match

On 17th March 2007 at Sabina Parka Kingston, Jamaica Pakistan suffered the biggest upsets in cricket world cup. Ireland who were playing the world cup for the very first time won the toss and elected to bowl on a green top pitch. The Irish bowlers bowled extremely well and restricted Pakistan to just 132 runs and did not even let them play their complete allotted 50 overs. It was a great effort against a team who had batting legends Inzamam ul Haq, Muhammad Yousaf etc. For Ireland WB Rankin was the most successful bowler and he claimed three wickets. Ireland team started they chase confidently but soon started loosing wickets and the responsibility of getting their team home was taken by Neil O’Brian who scored 72 runs and led Ireland win one of the most memorable game of cricketing history. This was the biggest upset which Pakistan suffered after loosing to Bangladesh in World Cup 1999. Soon after this defeat Pakistan lost their coach Bob Woolmer due to a heart attack and it came as a shock to the whole world.

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