Small fries and giant killers

Never underestimate the underdogs. What Ireland did to West Indies was much like what it did to Pakistan in 2007 and Bangladesh did to India that very year.
So, the minnows have struck again. The demolition of the West Indies isn't the first time the Irish have beaten a test playing nation in the Cricket World Cup. In 2007, it was Pakistan that tasted defeat at their hands, while England was worsted in 2011.
There has been a call from certain cricketing corners to exclude teams like Afghanistan, Ireland, UAE and the other newer teams from the coveted tournament.
Here is a list of five matches in which small fries played giant killers and altered the mathematics of World Cup tournaments.
World Cup 2007: Bangladesh trounce India
A star-spangled team versus an completely inexperienced side sounds more like a practice match. India, who opted to bat first on a lively wicket, had its entire top order heading back to the pavilion when Bangladesh quickie Mashrafe Mortaza ripped through the batting line-up, claiming 4 for 38. Spinners Abdur Razzak and Mohammad Rafique shared the other six wickets as India ate dust with a less than modest 191.
World Cup 2007: Ireland pip Pakistan
The Irish had already tied with Zimbabwe and needed what then seemed like an impossible victory over Pakistan to move to the knockout stage.
But the minnows struck early, shaving off six wickets and conceding just 72 runs, before sending Pakistan crashing to 132 all out. Resilient speedster Mohammad Sami sent the entire top order back to the pavilion and it seemed that Pakistan might just avoid a big upset. But wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien had other ideas and held fort with 72 precious runs even as he began running out of partners.
With Ireland at 113 for seven, it was almost as if the huge upset wasn't going to happen. It was then that Kevin O'Brien's unbeaten 16 saw Ireland romp home and Pakistan make an exit from the tournament.
World Cup 1996: Kenya thrash the Windies
In what is regarded as one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history, Kenya walloped two-time champion West Indies with a superlative bowling performance.
The minnows had wrapped up their innings with what looked like an undefendable 166. However, the team got the dream start it was looking for from its pace bowlers, and reduced the Windies to 35-4, before Maurice Odumbe took over with a fine spell of spin bowling in which he knocked off Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Jimmy Adams and Roger Harper to end with 3-15 off 10 overs.
World Cup 1983: Zimbabwe beat Australia
The Zimbabweans were absolute freshers, as the match against Australia was their first one-day international ever.
It was Duncan Fletcher who showed his stuff both with bat and ball to write the first big upset at a World Cup tourney. Fletcher got to the crease when his team was tottering, and delivered a rapid-fire 69 that gave the team a reasonably defendable total. All was hunky dory for the boys Down Under, who had mopped up with 61 for the loss of none, when Fletcher came back to exhibit his prowess with the ball, running through the Aussie top order and taking four crucial wickets.
World Cup 1999: Zimbabwe trounce South Africa
With not a single win against South Africa in ODIs, the Zimbabweans were clearly the underdogs. But that day, the minnows, who had notched up a well, sort of defendable 234,  reduced the Proteas to 40 for 6. Lance Klusener saved South African the blushes with a marvellous 52, but it wasn't enough to win them the match.  
Never underestimate the underdogs. They might not necessarily lift the trophy but they surely have the capability to change the build-up plot of the tournament.
    — Business Standard