The ICC World Cup has never been short on surprises. Be it an ‘underdog’ India that recorded a ‘David v Goliath’-like win over West Indies in the 1983 edition or Zimbabwe who turned the heat on against England in 1992.
Bangladesh made a memorable debut with a win over Pakistan in the 1999 edition, while Kenya ensured that the first-ever World Cup in Africa had an African side in the top four when they surprised many with their performance in 2003.
But none of these tops what we witnessed when the World Cup carnival travelled to the Caribbean four years later. Many had expected the Asian teams to come out trumps, but not many would have thought that Bangladesh would be one among them.
A Mashrafe Mortaza-led bowling attack was on top of their form as they choked the mighty Indian batting line-up for a shabby 191 before being bowled out. The stand-out moment came when a young Abdur Razzak had Sachin Tendulkar in his tracks to get him caught behind for just seven runs.
Bangladeshi batsmen were too careful to repeat the mistakes of their Indian counterparts as Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Shakib Al Hasan notched up half-centuries to take their side over the line comfortably in the penultimate over of the chase. The defeat meant India bowed out of the competition in the group stages.
AFP / Adrian DennisIndia weren’t the only big-profile causality of the group stages in 2007. Joining them on their way back home was their fiercest rivals Pakistan.
Ireland, playing their maiden World Cup, were the punishers for Pakistan as they bowled them out for a meagre 132, with their lanky pacer Boyd Rankin taking three wickets.
In response, the Irish chase was in doldrums too when they got reduced to 15/ 2. But a calm Niall O’Brien carried the Irish innings forward with a gritty 72-run knock which took Ireland within touching distance of the target.
