NEW DELHI: Afghanistan defeated defending champions England by 69 runs at the Cricket World Cup on Sunday in the first big upset of the 2023 tournament.Ìý
Afghanistan's Ikram Alikhil celebrates after Rashid Khan bowls out England's Mark Wood to win the match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi, India on October 15, 2023. (REUTERS)
AFP Sports looks at five other stunning wins in the history of the tournament:Ìý
Playing in their first ever One-Day International, Zimbabwe stunned an Australian side boasting the likes of Allan Border, Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson in the opening game of the tournament at Trent Bridge.Ìý
Batting first, Zimbabwe rode on the back of an undefeated 69 from Duncan Fletcher on their way to 239-6 in 60 overs.Ìý
Kepler Wessels top-scored for Australia but they fell short as Fletcher then starred with the ball taking 4-42 after the Aussies had appeared to be cruising on 61 for no loss at one stage.Ìý
A stunning all-around show put up by skipper Duncan Fletcher as Zimbabwe upset Australia on the first appearance in the World Cup in 1983. (Photo courtesy: ESPNcricinfo)
India shocked the two-time defending champions West Indies in the final having arrived at the World Cup with just 17 wins in their first nine years as an ODI team.Ìý
India managed to score just 183 with Kris Srikkanth the top scorer with a modest 38 as the West Indies pace battery of Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall showed no mercy.Ìý
But then Mohinder Armanath (3-12) and Madan Lal (3-31) suffocated the flamboyant West Indies batsmen with Viv Richards managing the top score of 33.Ìý
India's Mohinder Amarnath plays a shot during his crucial knock of 46 against England in the 1983 World Cup semi-final. (Photo courtesy: @cricketworldcup/Twitter/File)
Kenya struggled to 166 all out in this group stage fixture with Courtney Walsh and Roger Harper taking three wickets apiece.Ìý
But in what was heralded as one of the greatest ever shocks at the time, the African nation saw opening bowler Rajab Ali claim the prize wicket of Brian Lara for just eight runs.Ìý
Only Harper and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, whose 19 runs occupied 48 balls, reached double figures for the West Indies who were dismissed for just 93.Ìý
Maurice Odombe played a captain’s role with 3-15 from his 10 overs.Ìý
Kenya wicketkeeper Tariq Iqbal and Aasif Karim celebrate as Brian Lara is caught behind off the bowling of Rajab Ali for an 11-ball 8 during theÌý1996 World Cup. (Photo courtesy: AP/File)
Ireland marked St. Patrick’s Day in style by knocking Pakistan out of the 2007 World Cup in Jamaica.Ìý
The Irish attack skittled out the Asian giants for just 132, with future England paceman Boyd Rankin taking three wickets.Ìý
Ireland suffered a collapse of their own before Kevin O’Brien and Trent Johnston saw them to victory.Ìý
But there was a grim postscript to the match when Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer, the former England batsman, died in his hotel room that night.Ìý
In this file photo Niall O’Brien plays a shot as Ireland upset Pakistan in the 2007 World Cup. (Photo courtesy: Wisden/website)
England piled up a seemingly imposing 327 for eight, with Jonathan Trott making 92 and Ian Bell 81 although John Mooney’s four-wicket haul prevented a larger total.Ìý
In reply, Ireland lost skipper William Porterfield before they’d scored a run but Kevin O’Brien seized his chance to shine by smashing a World Cup hundred off just 50 balls, with 13 fours and six sixes.Ìý
After he was out, Mooney’s 33 not out sealed a stunning win with five balls to spare.Ìý
England cricketers congratulate teammate James Anderson after taking the wicket of Ireland's William Porterfield during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on March 2, 2011. (AFP/File)
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