Bangladesh have rarely been considered favourites when facing the top nations in world cricket. Yet on several occasions, they have produced results that left the cricketing world stunned.
From a famous World Cup group-stage win in 1999 to a historic Test victory in challenging conditions in 2022, Bangladesh have shown they are capable of rising to the occasion against the biggest sides in world cricket.
They are in the driver's seat in the ongoing first Test against Australia at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin. It is a fitting moment for cricket aficionados to look back at some of the watershed moments in Bangladesh's cricket annals.
3 moments when Bangladesh caused upsets against giant nations
3. Bangladesh beat Pakistan, 1999 ODI World Cup
Bangladesh entered the 1999 Cricket World Cup having qualified by winning the 1997 ICC Trophy (now known as the ICC World Cup Qualifier) in Malaysia. Few expected them to trouble Pakistan, a side that included Wasim Akram, Saeed Anwar and Shoaib Akhtar. Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by 62 runs in what is widely regarded as one of the greatest shocks in World Cup history. The result had a lasting impact beyond the match itself. Bangladesh's performances at the 1999 tournament, which also included a win over Scotland, helped accelerate their promotion to Full Member status in international cricket. The iconic victory against the Men in Green came at the County Ground in Northampton.
2. Bangladesh beat India, 2007 ODI World Cup
On March 17, 2007, Bangladesh met India for the first time at a Cricket World Cup, in Group B at Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Bangladesh won by 5 wickets with 9 balls remaining, defeating a side captained by Rahul Dravid. India subsequently lost to Sri Lanka and exited the tournament without advancing to the Super Eights. Bangladesh, by contrast, qualified from the group stage for the first time, advancing to the Super Eights. The result is cited among the greatest upsets in World Cup history and is credited with prompting a restructuring of future World Cup formats to ensure longer participation from major sides.
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1. Bangladesh beat New Zealand, 1st Test, Bay Oval, 2022
In 2022, Bangladesh travelled to New Zealand and defeated the then-reigning World Test Champions in the first Test at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. The result marked a significant moment in Bangladesh's Test history, as wins in New Zealand are rare for touring sides. The victory demonstrated that Bangladesh's Test cricket had developed to a level where they could compete and win away from home against established Test nations. The Kiwis were on a 17-match home unbeaten streak in Test cricket in the lead-up to this game, making the victory even more monumental.