Cricket World Cup History: 3 teams you may not know made their World Cup debut before Bangladesh 

One of the most improved cricket teams in the world, Bangladesh has garnered a huge fan base over the last few years. Though Bangladesh played its first international cricket match in 1986, the country's breakthrough moment came in the year 2007 when India was knocked out of the Cricket World Cup by Bangladesh.

Yet another memorable moment came when Bangladesh defeated South Africa in the 'Super Eight' stages of the same tournament. In recent times, Bangladesh registered its first ODI series victory over India in 2016 and also reached the final of Asia Cup in 2012, 2016 and 2018.

While Bangladesh has enjoyed a resurgence in international cricket, there have been a few cricketing nations which have failed to impress. Here are the three teams you may not know played the World Cup before Bangladesh.

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#3 Kenya

Steve Tikolo, captain of Kenya leads his players on a lap of honour

Kenya made history by becoming the first ever associate nation to reach the semifinals of Cricket World Cup in 2003. The Kenyans lost to India in the semifinals as the world was in awe of this rising African team.

Very few people may remember that Kenya had made their World Cup debut in the year 1996. They were grouped with the full members like Australia, India, West Indies, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The Kenyans established themselves as giant killers by upsetting West Indies in a group match. However, they could not win any other match in the 1996 World Cup as they crashed out of the group stage.

This team then reached the 2003 World Cup semifinals but has failed to make a mark since. Kenya's last World Cup appearance came in the year 2011 when they lost all six of their group stage matches.

#2 United Arab Emirates

India v the United Arab Emirates - 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup

United Arab Emirates won the ICC Trophy in 1994 to qualify for the 1996 Cricket World Cup. They made their World Cup debut along with the ICC Trophy runners-up Kenya but, they could not achieve the same success as the African team.

UAE were a part of the first ever 'Associate Nation vs Associate Nation' match in World Cup history when they took on the Netherlands in 1996. UAE won that match in what remains to be their only World Cup win till date.

UAE failed to qualify for the mega-event from 1999-2011 before they returned to the tournament in 2015. The Arab nation lost all their group stage matches in 2015 and have not made an impact since.

#1 Canada

Kenya v Canada: Group A - 2011 ICC World Cup

Canada made their debut in the cricket World Cup way back in 1979. Even the hardcore cricket fans of today may not know that Canada and USA were the two teams who played the first official international cricket match in the year 1844.

This shows that cricket has always been a popular sport in the North American country but they have never been successful while playing at the World Cups.

They made their World Cup debut 20 years ago and since then have featured in 18 World Cup matches but have won only two of them. Their last World Cup appearance came in the year 2011 when they were knocked out of the group stages.

It is sad to note that the Canadian team has been the best team from the American continent and yet, it has failed to succeed at the international level.