England, one of the most storied cricket teams globally, has experienced its fair share of upsets against lower-ranked teams in major ICC events.
These defeats have often been surprising and have had significant implications for England’s tournament progression.
Here are three notable instances where England suffered setbacks against teams considered to be lower-ranked at the time:
1. England vs Netherlands, T20 World Cup 2009
In the inaugural match of the 2009 ICC T20 World Cup at Lord’s, England faced a stunning upset at the hands of the Netherlands.
England batted first, setting a target of 163 runs. However, the Netherlands, led by Tom de Grooth, successfully chased down the target on the last ball of the match, winning by four wickets.
This unexpected defeat was a major heartbreak for England and set the tone for a challenging tournament campaign.
2. England vs Afghanistan, ODI World Cup 2023
During the 2023 ODI World Cup, Afghanistan pulled off another significant upset against England.
Batting first, Afghanistan posted a competitive total of 285 runs, thanks to Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 80 off 57 deliveries.
England’s batting lineup struggled against the Afghan spin duo of Mujeeb ur Rahman and Rashid Khan, eventually being bowled out for 215 runs.
The 70-run defeat was a historic triumph for Afghanistan and marked a significant upset in the tournament.
3. England vs Ireland, ICC World Cup 2011
In the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, England faced another unexpected defeat at the hands of Ireland. Ireland, led by Kevin O’Brien, achieved a remarkable victory by chasing down a target of 327 runs in just 49.1 overs.
O’Brien’s century off 50 balls was instrumental in Ireland’s win, as they secured a three-wicket victory.
This match is often remembered as one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history and highlighted Ireland’s potential to challenge top-tier teams.
