Underdog Cricket Teams: Historical List of Great Wins of Underdog Teams

An underdog cricket team refers to a team that is not favored when competing against a stronger, more favored team. However, it turns out that underdog teams have also proven that they can win against these top teams.

The history of cricket records many moments where underdog teams have won matches against favored teams, and it’s quite impressive.

Before we dive into the main topic of discussion, we’d like to remind you that you can check out match predictions on the 7cricbuzz website to find out the odds of winning for the IND vs PAK match.

So, here are some great matches that have been won by underdog cricket teams, which we have specially compiled just for you.

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List of Some Underdog Cricket Team

You might find it hard to believe that there have been moments when matches were won by underdog cricket teams, but it has indeed happened.

So, here are some thrilling matches that were successfully won by underdog teams against favored teams, making them some of the most memorable matches to date.

1. Zimbabwe vs Australia

After a staggering 31-year hiatus, the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team clinched a monumental win against Australia this Sunday.

This triumph serves as a quintessential example of an underdog cricket team toppling a cricketing giant, leaving the global audience in awe.

Such victories not only uplift the spirits of the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team but also serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for other underdog cricket teams.

2. Kenya vs West Indies 1996

In a stunning turn of events, the West Indies, facing a seemingly easy target of 166, were bowled out for just 93 by the underdog cricket team, the Kenya Cricket Team.

The top scorer for the West Indies was Chanderpaul with 19 runs, but what caught everyone’s attention was that the extras were the highest contributors to Kenya’s total.

This marked Kenya Cricket Team’s first-ever victory in Official ODIs, adding another feather to the cap of underdog cricket teams.

Additionally, this was the first instance where the West Indies suffered a loss to an associate nation, a milestone for the Kenya Cricket Team.

Despite this shocking loss to the underdog cricket team, the West Indies still managed to reach the semi-finals, where they were defeated by Australia.

Mauris Odumbe was named the man of the match for his impressive 3-15, further highlighting the prowess of the Kenya Cricket Team as an underdog cricket team.

3. India vs Zimbabwe 1996

In a 1999 World Cup Group stage thriller, Zimbabwe, an underdog cricket team, pulled off a miraculous win against India in an India vs Zimbabwe showdown.

With India at 246/7 in 44.1 overs and chasing a target of 253 from 46 overs, the India vs Zimbabwe match took a dramatic turn.

India lost 3 wickets for just 3 runs in 5 balls, ultimately losing the match by a narrow margin of 3 runs, a significant win for the underdog cricket team.

Henry Olonga was the hero for Zimbabwe, taking the crucial last 3 wickets. Earlier in the India vs Zimbabwe clash, Zimbabwe had set a target of 252 in their 50 overs, thanks to Grant Flower’s 68-run contribution.

Adding to India’s woes in this underdog cricket team’s victory was the absence of their talisman, Sachin Tendulkar, and a penalty of 4 overs for slow over-rate.

4. Bangladesh vs Pakistan 1999

In their World Cup debut, the Bangladesh National Cricket Team, an underdog cricket team, stunned the cricketing world by defeating Pakistan with a significant 62-run margin.

Batting first in this monumental match, the Bangladesh National Cricket Team posted a total of 223 runs, with Akram Khan leading the scoreboard with 42 runs.

As Pakistan began their chase, they found themselves in a dire situation, plummeting to 42-5.

The underdog cricket team’s bowling attack proved too much for Pakistan, who were eventually bowled out for 161.

To commemorate this historic win by the Bangladesh National Cricket Team, a national holiday was declared in Bangladesh.

5. Australia vs Bangladesh 2005

In a tri-series featuring Bangladesh, England, and Australia, the Australia vs Bangladesh match initially seemed to be going Australia’s way.

Batting first, Australia recovered from a poor start to post a total of 249, thanks to fifties from Clarke and Martyn.

As the chase began, Bangladesh, the underdog cricket team, were at 72-3 in the 21st over, making the Australia vs Bangladesh match appear one-sided.

However, the tide turned when a young talent from Bangladesh, Mohammed Ashraful, scored a brilliant century and formed a 130-run partnership with captain Habibul Bashar.

Aftab Ahmed then sealed the Australia vs Bangladesh match with a six, sending the crowd at Sophia Gardens into a frenzy.

At that time, Bangladesh were considered minnows, making their victory over Australia one of the most iconic wins for an underdog cricket team.

6. England vs Ireland 2011

In just their second World Cup appearance, Ireland, an underdog cricket team, pulled off a stunning upset by chasing down a massive target of 330 against England in the England vs Ireland match at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.

With the required run rate soaring to 8 at the halfway mark, Ireland opted for the batting powerplay during the England vs Ireland clash.

This is when Kevin O’Brien unleashed havoc on the English bowlers, scoring a century in a record-breaking 50 deliveries, the fastest hundred in World Cup history.

The underdog cricket team, Ireland, successfully chased down the target with 5 balls to spare in the England vs Ireland match, leaving the cricket world in utter disbelief.

7. Zimbabwe vs New Zealand 2011

With the series already secured, New Zealand aimed for a clean sweep in the Zimbabwe vs New Zealand match.

After posting a formidable 329 runs, thanks to centuries from Ross Taylor and Ken Williamson, New Zealand were the favorites.

However, Zimbabwe, the underdog cricket team, had other plans. They reached 183/5 in 30 overs, fueled by rapid fifties from Taylor and Taibu in the Zimbabwe vs New Zealand contest.

Elton Chigumbura and Malcom Waller then stitched together a 95-run partnership in just 14 overs, keeping the run chase alive for the underdog cricket team.

Although Chigumbura was dismissed, Waller sealed the Zimbabwe vs New Zealand match with an unbeaten 99, defying the odds.

8. Zimbabwe vs Australia 2007

Fresh off their ODI World Cup victory in the Caribbean and boasting a strong lineup, Australia entered as pre-tournament favorites in the Zimbabwe vs Australia World T20 match.

However, Zimbabwe, the underdog cricket team, had a different script in mind. Batting first, Australia could only muster a modest 138 runs in the Zimbabwe vs Australia clash.

Brendan Taylor then took center stage for the underdog cricket team, blasting a 45-ball 60 to guide Zimbabwe to a 5-wicket win with a ball to spare.

This triumph stands as one of the most remarkable cricket underdog victories, especially considering Australia’s status as a cricketing powerhouse.

9. Netherlands vs England 2009

The 2009 World T20 opened with a Netherlands vs England match, where the hosts, England, were the clear favorites.

Batting first, England had a promising start thanks to Ravi Bopara and Luke Wright, but were eventually limited to 162 by the Netherlands, the underdog cricket team.

The Netherlands vs England match saw the Dutch struggle initially, but they regained momentum with a 30-ball 49 from de Grooth.

Ryan ten Doeschate then carried the underdog cricket team to a nail-biting finish, needing 7 runs in the final over of the Netherlands vs England game.

On the last ball, with 2 runs needed for victory, Stuart Broad missed a crucial throw at the bowler’s end, allowing the Dutch to complete the second run and secure an unforgettable win.

For the Netherlands, beating England in the opening match at the mecca of cricket was the ultimate triumph for an underdog cricket team.

10. Hong Kong vs Bangladesh 2014

In a crucial qualification match for the World T20, both Hong Kong and Bangladesh needed a win to bolster their chances of advancing to the main group.

Playing on their home turf, Bangladesh were the favorites in the Hong Kong vs Bangladesh clash. However, the underdog cricket team, Hong Kong, had other plans.

Bangladesh were bowled out for a mere 108, with four players scoring zero, setting the stage for a Hong Kong vs Bangladesh upset.

Despite Bangladesh’s best efforts, it was Hong Kong’s day as they pulled off a stunning victory against the hosts.

This triumph stands as one of the most remarkable cricket underdog victories, particularly given that Hong Kong is not a well-established cricketing nation.

So there you have it, information about several matches won by underdog cricket teams that may enhance your knowledge of the latest cricket news.

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FAQ About Underdog Cricket Team

What is an Underdog Cricket Team?

An underdog cricket team refers to a team that is not favored to win when competing against a stronger, more favored team. Despite the odds, these teams have proven that they can pull off surprising victories against top teams.

Can you give examples of matches won by Underdog Cricket Teams?

Certainly! Some notable examples include Zimbabwe's win against Australia, Kenya's victory over the West Indies, and Bangladesh's triumph against Pakistan. These matches serve as quintessential examples of underdog cricket teams toppling cricketing giants.

Why are victories by Underdog Cricket Teams significant?

Victories by underdog cricket teams are significant because they serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for other underdog teams. They also make the sport more unpredictable and exciting, adding a layer of drama and suspense that captivates audiences worldwide.

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