March 17 – The date for the underdogs in the World Cups

The date March 17 will be remembered for producing the most unexpected results in Cricket history that too in the ODI World Cup. The date saw the emergence of Sri Lanka as the World Champions and witnessed two underdogs spoiling the fun of the 2007 World Cup, the edition criticized for its longevity and the format.

Sri Lanka vs Australia, Lahore in 1996:

Mark Taylor led his team from the front with an 83-ball 74 in the final of 1996 CWC after they lost the toss. Australia ended up with 241/7 in their 50 overs what looked to be a stiff total against Sri Lanka. Sanath Jayasuriya (9) and Romesh Kaluwitharana (6) were back in the hut by 7th over as the things got worse for the chasing side. Aravinda de Silva, who rescued his team from a similar position in the semis against India, produced yet another counter-attacking innings.

He stitched a century stand along with Asanka Gurusinha to put his team in a formidable position. Paul Reiffel broke the 125-run partnership that came in only 25 overs by cleaning up Gurusinha for 65. The troubles increased for Australia once the Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga came to the crease. Sri Lanka needed 63 from the last ten overs but they needed only 45 deliveries to finish off the game. With a boundary in the 47th over, De Silva completed his century while Ranatunga finished the game with a four through covers in the 48th over. The pair shared 97* for the 4th wicket to help Sri Lanka register their greatest victory in the sport.

India vs Bangladesh, Port of Spain in 2007:

The performances of India over the past two years put them as the favourites to win the World event in 2007. India began their campaign against Bangladesh but failed to play up to the mark after they elected to bat first. Mashrafe Mortaza sent back Virender Sehwag (2) Robin Uthappa (9) while Sachin Tendulkar (7) and Rahul Dravid (14) fell to the left-arm spinners. Sourav Ganguly (66) and Yuvraj Singh (47) rescued the team from 72/4 with an 85-run partnership before they lost five wickets for two runs. Zaheer Khan (15*) and Munaf Patel (15) added 32 runs for the final wicket before India were bowled out for 191.

Tamim Iqbal took over the Indian pacers to score a 53-ball 51 with seven fours and two sixes. Munaf struck twice in two overs to reduce Bangladesh to 79/3 but Tamim’s innings brought down the required rate. Mushfiqur Rahim (56*) and Shakib Al Hasan (53) played sensibly and ensured they didn’t lose wickets in a hurry. The pair put on 84 for the 4th wicket in 22.4 overs before Sehwag dismissed Shakib and Habibul Bashar. However, Bangladesh reached the target safely with an unbeaten fifty from Rahim.

Pakistan vs Ireland, Kingston in 2007:

It was a must-win match for Pakistan after losing to West Indies in the opening game of the tournament. They lacked consistency with the bat after Ireland invited them to bat first. Andrew Botha’s economical spell of two wickets for five runs in eight overs put pressure on Pakistan batsmen who ended up gifting their wickets. They were bowled out for 132 by 46th over with the 29 extra runs being the highest contributor to their innings.

The Irish team were 15/2 chasing a small total before Niall O’Brien and Williamson Porterfield (13) put on 47 for the 3rd wicket. Mohammad Hafeez got Porterfield’s wicket while Mohammad Sami took his 3rd by dismissing Botha for a duck. Niall put on 38 runs along with his brother Kevin O’Brien and completed his fifty as well. He scored a 107-ball 72 with six fours and a six before getting out stumped to Shoaib Malik.

Iftikhar Anjum struck twice in two deliveries to reduce the Irish side to 113/7 by 35th over. They chasing team further needed 15 runs in 12 overs after a DL adjustment. Kevin put on 14 runs in the next 39 deliveries with his captain Trent Johnston, who finished the game with a huge over long-on. This result sent Pakistan out of the 2007 CWC while Ireland, the then Associate side, entered Super Eights following Zimbabwe’s defeat to Pakistan.