Since India's first-ever triumph in the World Cup against the West Indies in 1983 to the unexpected defeat of England by Ireland in 2011, the ICC Cricket World Cup has been known for creating significant surprises.
Afghanistan pulled off a stunning victory against the reigning champions, England, winning by a margin of 69 runs in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023. This unexpected result will go down as one of the most memorable upsets in the tournament's illustrious history.
Jonathan Trott, the English coach of Afghanistan, expressed his disbelief at the outcome of the match in New Delhi on Sunday, stating that it will take some time for the victory to fully register.
This was not the first time one of the highest-ranked teams had suffered a defeat in a Cricket World Cup game against a less favoured opponent.
Let's take a glimpse at some of the most surprising turnarounds in the tournament's past:
India Ends West Indian Dominance
On June 25, 1983, India defeated West Indies by 43 runs at Lord's, securing their inaugural Cricket World Cup championship.
They surprised the reigning champions in the 1983 tournament final despite having only 17 victories in their first nine years as a one-day international (ODI) team when they entered the World Cup.
The team led by Kapil Dev could only muster 183 runs, with Kris Srikkanth modest 38 being the highest individual score. The West Indies fast bowling trio of Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, and Malcolm Marshall displayed no mercy and proved to be a formidable challenge.
However, Mohinder Armanath (3-12) and Madan Lal (3-31) effectively contained the aggressive West Indies batters, limiting Viv Richards to the highest individual score of 33 for their team.
The victory turned Dev and his team into instant celebrities in their homeland, as the nation was consumed entirely by cricket frenzy.
Ireland Eliminates Pakistan From the Competition
Ireland emerged victorious over Pakistan by three wickets in an exhilarating match held at Kingston, Jamaica, on March 17, 2007. This historic triumph marked Ireland's maiden victory in the tournament.
Ireland remarkably celebrated St Patrick's Day by eliminating Pakistan from the 2007 World Cup in Jamaica. The Irish bowling attack displayed exceptional skill, dismissing the formidable Asian team for a mere 132 runs. Notably, Boyd Rankin, who would later represent England, played a significant role by claiming three wickets.
Ireland experienced a dramatic downturn before Kevin O'Brien and Trent Johnston guided them to a triumphant outcome.
However, the match took a sad turn when Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer tragically passed away in his hotel room later that evening.
O'Brien's Scorching Performance Dismantles England
Ireland once again showcased their prowess in the 2011 World Cup, emerging victorious over England by three wickets in Bengaluru.
England was wholly outplayed by Kevin O'Brien, who scored the fastest century in World Cup history. The Irish team once again demonstrated their ability to defeat much stronger opponents.
Trott, the current coach of Afghanistan, was surprised when he faced one of the leading English batters in India in 2011.
England amassed a seemingly formidable 327 for eight, with Trott contributing 92 and Ian Bell 81, although John Mooney's impressive four-wicket performance limited their final score.
As a response, Ireland, unfortunately, lost their captain, William Porterfield, without scoring a single run. However, Kevin O'Brien took full advantage of the opportunity and showcased his brilliance by scoring a remarkable century in the World Cup. He achieved this feat in just 50 balls, hitting 13 fours and six sixes.
Following his dismissal, Mooney's unbeaten score of 33 secured a remarkable victory with just five deliveries remaining.
Odombe's Kenya Convincingly Defeated Lara's Formidable West Indies Team
Kenya emerged victorious over West Indies with a commanding 73-run lead during the 1996 World Cup held in Pune.
In the group-stage match, Kenya had a tough time. They could only manage 166 runs before getting all out. Courtney Walsh and Roger Harper were the star performers, each taking three wickets.
However, in a surprising turn of events, the African nation witnessed the talented opening bowler Rajab Ali dismissing the renowned Brian Lara for a mere eight runs. This unexpected outcome was considered one of the most remarkable upsets of its time.
Harper and Shivnarine Chanderpaul were the only ones who managed to reach double figures for the West Indies, with Chanderpaul's 19 runs taking up 48 balls. Unfortunately, the rest of the team was dismissed for a mere 93.
Maurice Odombe delivered an exceptional performance, showcasing his leadership skills by taking an impressive 3-15 from his ten overs.
Bangladesh Shocks India With an Impressive Victory
Bangladesh emerged victorious over India with a five-wicket triumph at Port of Spain, Trinidad, during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007.
India's highly talented batting lineup, featuring renowned players such as Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Yuvraj Singh, was dismissed for a total of 191 runs due to the exceptional bowling performance by pacer Mashrafe Mortaza and left-arm spinner Abdul Razzak.
A talented Bangladeshi batsman named Tamim Iqbal made a strong impression on the international cricket scene with his impressive 51-run innings against the Indian bowling attack. The young player, who was 18 at the time, received assistance from wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim and another talented player, Shakib Al Hasan, as they led their team to a significant victory against their more potent neighbours.
Indian fans expressed their frustration by resorting to burning effigies of their beloved star players.