Top 5 greatest upsets in ODI cricket history

#2 Pakistan vs Ireland, 9th Match, Group D, ICC World Cup at Kingston, Mar 17 2007

Group D, Ireland v Pakistan - Cricket World Cup 2007

St. Patrick's Day on 2007, will be mentioned as long as cricket historians exist. Two Asian giants were upset on the same day. India were beaten by Bangladesh and Pakistan by Ireland. Consequentially Pakistan were knocked out immediately and India would get knocked upon losing to Sri Lanka. Maybe, the Caribbean air and the cricketing Gods conspired to wreak havoc in an otherwise steady world.

Pakistan had already lost to West Indies in the tournament opener. Zimbabwe and Ireland had played out an exhilarating tie. The stakes were high and Ireland thrived with the ball. Having won the toss, Ireland elected to field first.

Pakistan had a poor start and were reduced to 15/2 in the fourth over. They had a good recovery and were 56/2 in the 13th over before collapsing to 72/6 in the 21st. Ireland steamrolled the opposition into submission as they dismissed Pakistan for 132 in the 46th over of the innings.

In response, Ireland chased down a reduced target (due to rain match was reduced to 47 overs) with 32 balls to spare. Niall O'Brien was the hero with the bat as he smashed 72 off 107 deliveries. This was one of the biggest upsets in world cricket up till then. This was Ireland's first World Cup and they shocked the world by making it to the Super 8. Pakistan exited the tournament on the back of this defeat.