5 shocking international cricket defeats in 2017

Cricket has always been a game of uncertainty. The year 2017 turned out to be another great year in the history of the game. From the up-rise of women's cricket in the world to the downfall of Sri Lanka, this year had it all. Pakistan's Champions Trophy win was the biggest uncertain events to have happened this year. Going into the tournament as the lowest ranked team they were the least favorites to win the trophy, but as fate had it they made their way into the finals and took the trophy home after an emphatic win over India.

Here we look back into the year and find some defeats in international cricket that were never expected.

#1 Afghanistan beat West Indies by 63 runs

Match: 1st ODI, Afghanistan tour of West Indies at Gros Islet, June 2017

West Indies failed to qualify for the ICC Champions Trophy, being ranked number 9 on the points table at the time of qualification. While the world was busy watching the ICC tournament, West Indies hosted Afghanistan for a T20 and ODI series in June earlier this year. After defeating Afghanistan in the T20s, West Indies were favorites again to win the ODIs.

Winning the toss, Afghanistan elected to bat first. Their innings progressed slowly with wickets falling at regular intervals. They managed to score 212 runs in the 50 overs on the back of 81 runs scored by opener Javed Ahmadi.

The target looked an easy one for an experienced West Indies side, but their batting collapsed after a magical bowling performance by spinner Rashid Khan. Rashid ran through the West Indies batting order, clinching 7 wickets giving away just 18 runs in 8.4 overs. West Indies were restricted to a mere 149, losing a low scoring encounter by 63 runs.

#2 Australia beat India by 333 runs

Australia team celebrates after winning the match

Match: 1st Test, Australia tour of India at Pune, Feb 2017

A Test match at home against the mighty Aussies has always been an epic battle between the two nations. Riding high on their unbeaten streak in 19 consecutive Test matches, Virat Kohli-led India were favorites to win the first Test of the series at Pune. Australia won the toss and chose to bat. They scored 260 in their first innings, with opener Renshaw top scoring 68 from 156 balls.

The Australians were reeling at 196-7, but Mitchell Starc scored a quickfire 61 off just 63 balls and helped his team reach a commendable first innings total. India had a horrible day with the bat in the first innings. Everything was going well until the wicket of Lokesh Rahul fell and India were reduced to 94-4 in 33 overs. Soon, the batting over collapsed to 105 all out.

In the second innings, Australia was all out for 285 after Ashwin and Jadeja got regular breakthroughs. With more than two days left in the game, India had to chase a target of 441 which looked daunting after India's poor batting display in the first innings. Nathan Lyon and Steve O'Keefe ran through the Indian batting order reducing India to 107, winning the Test by 333 runs.

Left-arm spinner O' Keefe grabbed 12 wickets in the match and was awarded the man of the match. The defeat ended India's unbeaten streak of 19 in Tests.

#3 Pakistan beat India by 180 runs

India v Pakistan - ICC Champions Trophy Final

Match: Final, ICC Champions Trophy at London, June, 2017

This year's ICC Champions Trophy was one of the most competitive ICC tournaments in recent years, with the top 8 ranked teams fighting it out in England.

The tournament saw some unexpected results and exceptional cricket being played, especially by Pakistan. Pakistan went into the tournament as one of the lowest ranked teams and looked ordinary in the first match that they played against India at Edgbaston, which India won quite comfortably. But a thumping win over England in the semi-final paved their way into the final which meant another high clash between India and Pakistan.

Winning the toss India chose to field first planning to restrict Pakistan to a chasable total. But due to poor bowling by the spinners, India kept leaking runs. A no-ball bowled by Jasprit Bumrah was the turning point of the match.

Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman was caught behind of Bumrah on 3, but unfortunately, it was a no ball and the batsman went to score a match-winning ton.

The target of 339 looked within reach until India was jolted by the bowling spell of Mohammad Amir who removed the top 3 batsmen taking the wickets of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kolhi. Soon, India batting collapsed to 158 all out and Pakistan won the final of the tournament by 180 runs.

#4 Zimbabwe beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets

Sean Williams plays a sweep shot

Match: 1st ODI, Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka at Galle, June 2017

Zimbabwe reached Sri Lanka for a 5 match ODI series in June earlier this year. There was not a slight hope that Zimbabwe would win the series, defeating the favorites Sri Lanka. After, winning the toss, Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews chose to bat first. Zimbabwe's bowling attack looked ordinary in front of the Sri Lanka batsmen. Kusal Tharanga top-scored with the bat scoring 86 off 80 balls. Tharanga scored 79 off 73 balls and remained not out at the end of the innings. Sri Lanka put 316 on board which was good enough to defend.

Chasing a total of 316 runs which didn't look easy enough for Zimbabwe, they were reduced to 46-2 in 11 overs. The match tilted in Sri Lankans favor but opener Mire and Williams steadied the innings and shared a 150 run partnership between them.

Sri Lanka kept leaking runs due to poor bowling and fielding. A maiden ton from opener Solomon Mire and half-centuries from Williams and Sikandar Raza shaped up the Zimbabwe innings who won comfortably by 4 wickets and 14 balls to spare.

#5 Sri Lanka beat India by 7 wickets

Suranga Lakmal takes wicket of captain Rohit Sharma

Match: 1st ODI, Sri Lanka tour of India at Dharamsala, Dec 2017

After a 1-0 series win against Sri Lanka, India were favorites again to win the ODI series. Being put into bat on a seaming pitch in the wintry morning, India had a horrible day. Both the Indian openers were removed in the first five overs. Sri Lanka seamers led by Suranga Lakmal ran through the middle order leaving India reeling at 29-7 in 16.4 overs. Later Dhoni came to the rescue scoring a brisk 65 of 87 balls which took India to 112. Four of Indian batsman returned without opening their account.

Lakmal took 4 wickets, giving away just 13 runs in 10 overs.

Chasing a low total of 112, Sri Lanka lost 2 wickets quite early raising the excitement in the match, but the middle order batsman chased down the target easily. Upul Tharanga top-scored with the bat, with 49 off 46 balls.