10 Greatest Upsets in ODI Cricket History

#2 Bangladesh vs Australia (2005)

It was the day a minnow with the worst ODI record upstaged the world champions. Before the match, Bangladesh had won only nine of their 107 one-dayers but what later transpired in Cardiff is still one of the most celebrated moments in the history of Bangladesh cricket.

Bowling first, Bangladesh restricted a mighty Australian XI to 249/5 in 50 overs. Despite being quite expensive, Tapash Basiya took 3 crucial Australian wickets and didn’t allow them to sprint ahead in the game.

In the second innings, Mohammad Ashraful made a permanent residence in every Bangladeshi’s heart with the most impactful knock of his career. After his dismissal for 100, Aftab Ahmed struck a six off the first ball of the final over and took a single off the next one to gift Bangladesh the most proud victory of their cricketing journey.

Brief Scores: Australia – 249/5 (50 overs) (Damien Martyn 77, Michael Clarke 54, Tapash Basiya 3/69); Bangladesh – 250/5 (49.2 overs) (Mohammad Ashraful 100, Habibul Bashar 47, Jason Gillespie 2/41)

Result: Bangladesh defeated Australia by 5 wickets

Man of the Match: Mohammad Ashraful (Bangladesh)

#1 Zimbabwe vs Australia (1983)

It was the World Cup opener of 1983 and Zimbabwe, playing their first-ever ODI, triumphed over the tournament favorites Australia.

Duncan Fletcher, the Zimbabwean captain won the toss and decided to bat first. Fletcher led from the front scoring a sublime 69* to take end his team’s total on 239/6 in 60 overs.

Everyone would’ve placed their bets on Australia chasing down 240 in 60 overs against an inexperienced bowling attack except for the 11 Chevrons on the field and that’s what mattered the most.

Captain Fletcher, who had already top-scored in the first innings, added another feather to the cap picking up 4 wickets. Fletcher backed up by his troops, scripted a famous 13-runs win over the Australians, who experienced one of the greatest upsets in cricket.

Brief Scores: Zimbabwe – 239/6 (60 overs) (Fletcher 69*, Graham Yallop 2/28); Australia – 226/7 (60 overs) (Kepler Wessels 76, Rod Marsh 50*, Fletcher 4/42)

Result: Zimbabwe defeated Australia by 13 runs

Man of the Match: Duncan Fletcher (Zimbabwe)