5 shocking international cricket defeats in 2017
Cricket has always been a game of uncertainty. The year 2017 turned out to be another great year in the history of the game. From the up-rise of women's cricket in the world to the downfall of Sri Lanka, this year had it all. Pakistan's Champions Trophy win was the biggest uncertain events to have happened this year. Going into the tournament as the lowest ranked team they were the least favorites to win the trophy, but as fate had it they made their way into the finals and took the trophy home after an emphatic win over India.
Here we look back into the year and find some defeats in international cricket that were never expected.
#1 Afghanistan beat West Indies by 63 runs
Match: 1st ODI, Afghanistan tour of West Indies at Gros Islet, June 2017
West Indies failed to qualify for the ICC Champions Trophy, being ranked number 9 on the points table at the time of qualification. While the world was busy watching the ICC tournament, West Indies hosted Afghanistan for a T20 and ODI series in June earlier this year. After defeating Afghanistan in the T20s, West Indies were favorites again to win the ODIs.
Winning the toss, Afghanistan elected to bat first. Their innings progressed slowly with wickets falling at regular intervals. They managed to score 212 runs in the 50 overs on the back of 81 runs scored by opener Javed Ahmadi.
The target looked an easy one for an experienced West Indies side, but their batting collapsed after a magical bowling performance by spinner Rashid Khan. Rashid ran through the West Indies batting order, clinching 7 wickets giving away just 18 runs in 8.4 overs. West Indies were restricted to a mere 149, losing a low scoring encounter by 63 runs.