Ireland chased 266 to beat Pakistan in the 2007 World Cup — the most significant upset in World Cup history, causing Pakistan's elimination and the subsequent resignation and tragic death of coach Bob Woolmer.
Ireland proceeded to chase the revised target with stunning composure. Jeremy Bray (115*) anchored the chase. Niall O'Brien hit aggressively. Ireland won by 3 wickets with 5 overs remaining.
Pakistan were eliminated. The cricket world was stunned. What happened next was tragic: Bob Woolmer, Pakistan's coach, was found dead in his hotel room the following morning. He was 58. Initial reports suggested murder — which, combined with the shock of the result, dominated every media outlet. The final medical verdict was natural causes (heart attack).
The cricket result was extraordinary enough on its own. The circumstances made it the most dramatically and tragically memorable World Cup upset in history.
Pakistan bowled out for 132 — Ireland's bowlers dominant
Ireland chasing the target with composed professionalism
Ireland win by 3 wickets — Pakistan eliminated
March 17, 2007
Ireland vs Pakistan, Sabina Park, Jamaica
Pakistan innings
Pakistan 132/6 — below par on any count
Ireland chase
Ireland win by 3 wickets — Pakistan eliminated
March 18, 2007
Bob Woolmer found dead in hotel room — cricket in shock
Bob Woolmer was found dead in his hotel room the morning after the defeat. Initial police investigation suggested foul play but the inquest eventually ruled natural causes. Pakistan spent months under the cloud of the investigation. Ireland's win opened the door to their continued development as a cricket nation — they became a Test-playing nation in 2017.
Ireland vs Pakistan 2007 is the greatest upset in World Cup history in terms of the combined shock of the result, the circumstances (debut World Cup match), and the tragic aftermath.
The upset confirmed that cricket's Associate nations could compete at the highest level. Ireland's win was the catalyst for a decade of investment in Associate cricket that eventually saw Ireland, Afghanistan, and Zimbabwe earn Test status.
Australia vs West Indies
1960-12-14
The first tied Test in 86 years of cricket history — Australia and West Indies finished level on 737 runs each after five days of breathless cricket in Brisbane, producing one of the most dramatic finishes the game has ever seen.
India vs Australia
1986-09-22
Twenty-six years after Brisbane, cricket produced only its second tied Test — Dean Jones's heroic 210 through crippling heat and Dean Jones's fever, Ravi Shastri's unbeaten 48 and India needing 2 off the last over, only for Maninder Singh to be out lbw off the final ball.
Australia vs South Africa
1999-06-17
Lance Klusener smashed Australia to the brink of elimination, then ran out Allan Donald off the penultimate ball to tie the match — but Australia advanced to the final on superior run rate, ending South Africa's greatest World Cup campaign in devastating fashion.