Five biggest upsets by associate nations

"Being underestimated is the biggest competitive advantage you can have; embrace it."

Everyone loves stories of an underdog triumphing over a veteran. It adds to the unpredictability to sport, gives the audience something to look forward to every time, and brings in a sense of goodwill into the competition.

Most people might not be able to relate to the top team that knows what it's like to be the best and contest at the highest level. However, all of us know what it's like to be struggling to get to that level, fighting against challenges that seem too big for us.

Hence, when an underdog gets the better of a seasoned champion, it gives us hope. It makes us feel good about ourselves, it adds belief to our dreams. That is why, victories of associate nations over Test-playing teams has always generated a great deal of buzz in world cricket, transcending national boundaries.

Let us look at five such instances when countries at the fringes of world cricket pulled an upset over those in its very nucleus:

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#5 Ireland vs England, World Cup 2011

A blistering century by Kevin O'Brien at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore saw one of the most memorable group-stage matches in the history of the ICC ODI World Cup. The right-handed batsman smashed 113 unbeaten runs off just 63 deliveries, helping Ireland topple England by three wickets.

Riding on the backs of two powerful half-centuries from Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell, England put up a huge total of 327-8 in the first innings. Ireland got off to a horrible start, with James Anderson dismissing William Porterfield off the very first delivery of the chase.

Ireland were soon reduced to 111-5, losing their way halfway through the innings. O'Brien, however, grabbed the game by the scruff of its neck and scripted history with his terrific effort on the day. Alex Cusack and John Mooney played ancillary roles in the chase, ensuring an Irish victory at the end of it all.

#4 Kenya vs West Indies, World Cup 1996

A West Indian batting disaster transformed into jubilation for Kenya

The ICC World Cup 1996 remains one of the most intriguing ODI competitions of all time, churning out reactions full of intrigue, exasperation, and enthrallment from its audience. Some results were shocking, some were unprecedented.

One of the most talked-about games of the tournament was the 20th match, where a young Kenyan team pulled one over a disjointed yet strong West Indian unit. The initial half of the game went right according to the plans for the two-time champions, as they won the toss and restricted Kenya to just 166 in the first innings.

West Indies lost both their opening batsmen for single-digit scores, though, and that's where the disintegration began. Kenya pressed hard, West Indies wilted under the pressure. It was a perfect rendition of David vs Goliath, as Brian Lara and Co. were bowled out for 93, thereby helping Kenya claim a thumping 73-run victory.

#3 Zimbabwe vs Australia, World Cup 1983

Duncan Fletcher's team pulled one over the mighty Australians in Nottingham

Zimbabwe announced their international arrival in a grand way back in 1983 and that too, on the biggest of stages, against the mightiest of opponents. A bunch of aspirational novices took on a team of virtuous and to surprise one and all, pulled one over them at the Trent Bridge in Nottingham back in 1983.

After being put in to bat first, Zimbabwe put up a fighting total of 239/6 at the end of 60 overs. The Kangaroos were no still expected to get past it, considering their opponents had no experience of contesting at the international level. However, in the second innings, the Zimbabweans pulled up their socks, and how!

The new-comers bowled their hearts out through the chase and ultimately, Australia were restricted for 226/7 at the end of 60 overs. Fletcher led from the front in both the innings, scoring an unbeaten 69 with the bat while following that up with a four-wicket haul in the second innings.

#2 Ireland vs Pakistan, World Cup 2007

Ireland's victory over Pakistan knocked the latter out of the tournament

Considering the number of shocking results they have pulled off in the history of the World Cup, Ireland can definitely be called upset-specialists when it comes to ICC tournaments. Back in 2007, not only did they defeat Pakistan in a massive game, but also pushed them out of the competition after the group stage.

After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, Trent Johnston and Co. bowled out Pakistan for just 132 in 45.4 overs. Boyd Rankin was the pick of the Irish bowlers, dismissing three batsmen in the nine overs he bowled on the day. Andre Botha, too, was impressive at Kingston, putting up brilliant figures of two for five in eight overs.

Player of the Match, though, was awarded to Niall O'Brien, who put up a solitary effort of resilience to guide his team to the finishing line in the chase. In an innings where no other batsman could cross an individual total of 20 runs, O'Brien went on to score 72 runs with his willow, thereby powering Ireland to a three-wicket victory. that was nothing short of remarkable.

#1 Kenya vs India 2001

A batting line-up with Tendulkar, Ganguly, and Yuvraj was tamed by Kenya

In the 6th match of the Standard Bank Triangular Tournament in South Africa, Kenya dumbfounded India by clinching a massive 70-run victory over them. It was an effort of the supreme order, one that defined a special moment in the history of cricket in the African nation.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Kenya put up a steady total of 246/6 against the likes of Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh. and Venkatesh Prasad.

If the Indian bowling attack had stars, their batting line-up was daunting. Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, and Rahul Dravid, along with skipper Sourav Ganguly, formed its crux. However, their light was dimmed by the glittery bowling from Kenya on the day, as the Indian batting line-up crumbled for 176 all-out under in 47 overs.

This victory, along with their historic triumph over India back in 1998, remains one of Kenya's best performances against the Asian giants to date.