Cricket is a funny game. It can surprise the best of the experts at times. The sport has seen many surprises over the years. There have been plenty of upsets that have changed the course of the game. India’s World Cup win in 1983 was one such unexpected feat. The odds were 1-66 against India. Similarly, India’s series win in Australia earlier this year was unexpected too. Teams and players have gone on to create unexpected records. Here are Top 5 Unexpected Cricket Records.
Let’s Look At Top 5 Unexpected Cricket Records:
#5 Kenya has played a World Cup semi-final
The Kenyan team was on a roll in the 2003 cricket World Cup. They defeated a mighty Sri Lanka team in the super sixes stage. Kenya was lucky as pullouts from New Zealand helped them prosper ahead. They ended up as one of the most unexpected semi-finalists.
Kenya fares better in this aspect as compared to 4 other Test-playing nations. As countries like Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and Ireland have never played a World Cup semi-final.
#4 Misbah-ul-Haq holds the Asian record of scoring the fastest Test century
Misbah-ul-Haq is often criticized for his defensive batsmanship. But he surprised everyone when he smashed a record-equalling 56-ball century in Tests. Brendon McCullum later went on to better that record.
He smashed a 54-ball 100 but Haq remains the fastest Asian batsman to score a Test century.
#3 Sachin Tendulkar has bowled more ODI balls than Shoaib Akhtar
Sachin Tendulkar and Shoaib Akhtar have engaged in many cricketing duels over the years. But Tendulkar has an unexpected bowling record as compared to Akhtar.
Sachin has sent down more deliveries (8054) in ODIs as compared to Akhtar (7764).
#2 Bangladesh became the quickest team to dismantle Aussies in a T20I innings
Australia struggled right through their 5-match T20I series against Bangladesh. Australia who has won the ODI World Cups 5 times is yet to win a T20 World Cup. They look far from winning it in 2021 as well. In the last game of the 5-match series, Australia was bundled out for just 62. They were dismissed in just 13.4 overs.
It was the lowest amount of balls they had faced in an innings before being bowled out.
#1 Ajit Agarkar holds the Indian record for scoring the fastest half-century in ODIs
The likes of Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant have a challenge ahead of them. In these ultra-aggressive batting times, this Indian record still stands tall. Agarkar is credited with scoring India’s fastest ODI half-century. He smashed a 21-ball 50 against Zimbabwe at Rajkot in 2000.
Agarkar primarily a bowler created this unexpected record that has lasted for 21 years and counting.
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