5 most heartbreaking match endings in cricket history

It is rightly said that Cricket is a game of uncertainty as many cricket matches have ended in a way no one would have expected them to. While playing, every cricketer gives his 110% but it is the pressure that deteriorates their game. If the player fails to hold his nerves under pressure situations, the momentum of the game shifts the other way.

The degree of competitiveness in the sport has reached the peak and both playing sides give their all and the fitness levels are also superb. However, sometimes one ends up as the second best despite playing their hearts out, which is surely tough to handle, not only for the players but for the fans as well.

There are moments when cricket players perform so well and win a tournament that the nation fills up with pride. However, there are some occasions when despite performing well a cricket team loses in heartbreaking fashion, leaving its fans utterly distraught and in a momentary state of shock. Our heart goes out to them.

We have witnessed several matches where everyone waited anxiously for the next ball as to see what the result would be. The same happened in the India-Bangladesh final match of 2018 Asia Cup where India needed 1 run on the final delivery and they got the 1 run off a leg bye. With that, India lifted the Asia Cup for the record seventh time. Even though it was a nail-biting affair for fans of both the teams, it ended in a heartbreak for fans of The Tigers.

On some occasions, the players failed to hold back their tears after losing the match as happened in the 2nd semi-final of 2015 Cricket World Cup. The match was between India and Australia and the latter defeated the Men in Blue by 95 runs to enter the finals.

Later at the post-match presentation ceremony, Dhoni was captured by cameras with tears in his eyes. Here we are with 5 most heart-wrenching endings in the history of cricket.

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#5 South Africa vs Australia (1999 World Cup semi-final)

This match was played at Edgbaston, Birmingham. After winning the toss, South Africa asked Australia to bat first and in doing so the Kangaroos managed a total of just 213 runs before getting all-out. Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald were the star performers of Proteas bowling as they picked five and four wickets respectively.

While chasing South Africa lost their 9 wickets at 198 runs but Lance Klusener held his nerve and took scores to level. Now South Africa needed just one off three with one wicket in hand, Allan Donald and Lance Klusener attempted a quick single and unlucky factor came to play as Allan Donald got run out and match tied.

As there was no concept of bowl-out or super-over at that time, Australia went through to the finals as they had higher points in the Super-Six table.

#4 2012 Asia Cup FInal, Bangladesh vs Pakistan

Bangladesh Players broke down in tears after the defeat from Pakistan in 2012 Asia Cup final

This was Bangladesh's first ever appearance in the Asia Cup final and Pakistan's third, the match was held in Shere Bangla Stadium. Bangladesh opted to field first after winning the toss. Pakistan posted a target of 237 runs in front of Bangla Tigers, who got the foundation with their openers adding 68 runs for the first wicket.

Bangladesh's scoreboard kept moving and in the final over they needed nine runs with three wickets in hand. Off the first four deliveries, they scored five runs but on the fifth delivery, Abdur Razzak was bowled. Unfortunately for Bangladesh they managed only a leg-bye single off the last ball and lost the final by a margin of just two runs.

#3 1992 World Cup semi-final, South Africa vs England

The South Africans were heartbroken as D/L cost them the semi-final of World Cup

Before rain hit the match, South Africa looked set to make it to the final of 1992 World Cup by defeating England. The match was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground and was a bizarre match as at one stage South Africa needed 22 runs in 13 balls with 4 wickets in hand and a few minutes later it became 22 off 1 as D/L was applied after the rain. It was an impossible target for any team and therefore South Africa lost the match by 19 runs.

#2 2015 World Cup semi-final, South Africa vs New Zealand

It was an emotional moment for all cricket fans as South Africa again proved to be unlucky

Grant Elliot who was also awarded Man of the Match, held his nerves till the end for New Zealand and eliminated the Proteas by hitting a six off the penultimate delivery of Dale Steyn's over, breaking so many hearts.

South Africa were playing this World Cup with one of their best squads of all-time. It was again rain-affected match and was reduced to 43 overs a side. New Zealand were asked to make 298 runs in 43 overs to win the match and they did so in style.

#1 1996 World Cup semi-final, India vs Sri Lanka

Seats were burned in Eden Gardens after India lost sudden wickets in the World Cup semi-final

This match ended in the most uncommon and unexpected way in the history of cricket as match-referee Clive Lloyd abandoned the match.

Sri Lanka posted a target of 252 runs for India to reach the final of the World Cup and chasing same India at a stage was 98/1 but within a few minutes of the game, India lost seven wickets while adding just 22 runs taking Indian score to 120/8.

As the match was happening in Kolkata, India, the crowd went mad and started throwing bottles in the ground and burned seats in Eden Gardens Stadium. Looking at the condition Clive Lloyd abandoned the match, giving Sri Lanka victory by default.

Indian batsman Vinod Kambli was so affected with the defeat that he could not control himself from crying.