3 teams whose first World Cup win versus a Test-playing nation came against Pakistan ft. USA
The USA scripted history in their maiden T20 World Cup outing as they clinched back-to-back victories to jump on the top of their group’s points table. While they clinched their first World Cup win against Canada in their campaign opener, another epic followed in their battle against Pakistan.
Pakistan, as things turn out, have often been at the receiving end in the World Cup while playing against teams making their debut. Notably, the USA wasn’t the first team whose first World Cup win versus a Test-playing nation came against Pakistan.
The Men in Green have given away two more such games in the past. On that note, let’s look at three teams whose first win at a World Cup, versus a Test-playing country, came against Pakistan.
#3 Bangladesh, vs Pakistan in ODI World Cup 1999
Bangladesh’s 1999 World Cup campaign started on a rough note. Making their debut at the ICC event, they suffered a disappointing defeat in their campaign opener against New Zealand, followed by another defeat against the West Indies.
Their first-ever World Cup win came against Scotland that season, as the Aminul Islam-led side defeated George Salmond and company by 22 runs to open their account. But with the Scots not being a Test-playing nation, Bangladesh’s first-ever win of such kind came against Pakistan in the same edition.
After suffering a defeat against Australia, Bangladesh were up against Wasim Akram’s Pakistan and were looking to get back on track. Batting first, they posted a decent total of 223/9 in their 50-over quota even amid Saqlain Mushtaq’s five-wicket haul.
What followed in the next innings was a complete disaster, as Pakistan’s top and middle order faltered. They were to chase the target in 49 overs, after being fined one over due to slow over rate and were reduced to 29/4 in 8.1 overs.
A three-wicket haul by Khaled Mahmud, followed by combined efforts from all other bowlers meant Pakistan were dished out at 161 in 44.3 overs. Mahmud’s all-round efforts won him the Player of the Match award as Bangladesh clinched a 62-run win, their first at a World Cup against a Test-playing nation.
#2 Ireland, vs Pakistan in ODI World Cup 2007
Ireland’s start to their maiden World Cup campaign in 2007 was somewhat similar to Bangladesh’s 1999 outing. The Irishmen first faced a non-Test-playing nation in Zimbabwe before going up against Pakistan in Group D.
Ireland and Zimbabwe showcased a great deal of determination as the match ended in a tie. Chasing the 222-run target, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 221 in 50 overs as the match witnessed a great contest between both batters and bowlers.
The Irish bowlers were simply brilliant while playing Pakistan in their next encounter of the tournament. They held Inzamam-ul-Haq and company to 132 in 45.4 overs as every bowler finished with at least one wicket.
Chasing the revised 128-run total in 47 overs, Ireland too were pushed to the distance but eventually managed to cross the finish line in the 42nd over, with three wickets and 32 balls to spare. Niall O’Brien’s 107-ball 72 took Ireland close to the target before they chased it successfully.
Notably, Ireland-born former England skipper Eoin Morgan was a part of the Irish squad during the 2007 ODI World Cup.
#1 United States of America, vs Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2024
The most recent occurrence of a team winning their first World Cup game against a Test-playing nation in Pakistan came at the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. The USA handed the Babar Azam-led side a defeat after taking the contest into a Super Over.
Though Pakistan looked like heavy favorites to win the match, their poor form in the T20Is continued even on the big stage. Batting first, Pakistan struggled in the powerplay and lost three wickets inside the first six overs to finish at 30/3.
A 43-ball 44 by skipper Babar, followed by contributions from Shadab Khan and Shaheen Afridi later in the innings helped the Men in Green finish with 159 runs on the scoreboard at the loss of seven wickets.
The USA got off to a good start comparatively, as they posted 44 runs in the powerplay while losing a sole wicket. The top and middle-order batters contributed really well, especially skipper Monank Patel who notched up a half-century.
Several slip-ups by the Pakistani bowlers and fielders helped the co-hosts level the scores at the end of 20 overs as the game was pushed to the Super Over. Pakistan kept making mistakes under pressure even in the deciding over as the USA made the most of it to score 18 runs in the over.
Chasing 19 off six balls, Pakistan faltered as Saurabh Netravalkar dismissed Iftikhar Ahmed on the fourth delivery. With the equation coming down to 14 off the final three balls, Netravalkar held the opposition batters to 13/1 as the USA scripted a historic five-run win in the Super Over.
With that, the USA clinched their second consecutive victory at the tournament and jumped to the top of Group A’s points table, with four points from two wins in two games played so far.