Teams With Worst Records in ICC World Cups
Kenya stunned everyone by qualifying for 2003 WC semifinal [Twitter]
Among all the tournaments, the ICC World Cup holds the most significance for every cricketing nation. Since its inception in 1975, the showpiece event has played a pivotal role in popularising cricket across the globe, attracting masses from all corners of the world. While several teams have had their hands on the World Cup on multiple occasions, the decorated trophy has been a distant dream for many.
So, before the 2023 World Cup begins in India, here we provide you with the most unsuccessful sides in the history of the tournament.
10) Kenya
Kenya was a part of the East Africa team in the first four World Cup editions. After failing to qualify for the 1992 World Cup Down Under, the African nation witnessed an incredible revolution in cricket, making it into five successive editions of the tournament.
They even managed to qualify for the semifinal in the 2003 World Cup, but crashed out after losing the knockout fixture to the eventual runners-up, India.
The 2011 edition was a forgettable one for Kenya, as they failed to win a single match in the tournament. Overall, they have only six victories to their name in 29 World Cup appearances in five editions- 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011.
Kenya in World Cups- 29 Matches, 6 Won, 22 Lost, 1 NR, Win percentage: 20.68
9) Zimbabwe
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Zimbabwe team in action [Source: AP]
Barring South Africa, Zimbabwe is arguably the only African country to possess a rich cricketing legacy. Counted as minnows in the 1970s and 80s, Zimbabwe improved their cricketing stature in the 1990s and remained a competitive side till the late 2000s.
However, despite having the likes of Heath Streak, Alistair Campbell, Neil Johnson and the Flower brothers, the Chevrons couldn't really lived up to their potential in the World Cups they participated in.
Zimbabwe played 57 World Cup matches in nine editions between 1983 and 2015 with modest success, managing only eleven victories at an abysmal winning percentage of 19.29.
Zimbabwe in World Cups- 57 Matches, 11 Won, 42 Lost, 1 Tied, 3 NR, Win percentage: 19.29
8) Canada
Canada's John Davison scored a blistering ton vs WI in 2003 WC [Source: Twitter]
Canada played their first World Cup way back in 1979, but it took 24 years for them to feature in the tournament for the second time. But they haven't had a great time in World Cups, winning only two of eighteen matches in four editions- 1979, 2003, 2007 and 2011.
Canada in World Cups: 18 Matches, 2 Won, 16 Lost, Win percentage: 11.11
7) Netherlands
Netherlands team in action [Source: Twitter]
Just like Kenya, the Netherlands had the 1996 World Cup as their inaugural appearance in the showpiece event. Despite playing 20 matches, the Dutch have tasted success on just two occasions, defeating Namibia in 2003 and Scotland in 2007.
Netherlands in World Cups: 20 Matches, 2 Won, 18 Lost, Win percentage: 10
6) United Arab Emirates
The 1996 World Cup marked UAE's first-ever appearance in an ICC World Cup, as they qualified for the marquee event under the leadership of Sultan Zarawani. However, they had a horrendous journey, winning a solitary game versus the Netherlands. Their next appearance came in the 2015 edition, where they lost all six games.
UAE in World Cups: 11 Matches, 1 Won, 10 Lost, Win percentage: 9.09 (1996, 2015)
5) Afghanistan
Afghanistan have won just one WC game [Source: Twitter]
Cricket in Afghanistan rose to prominence in the early 2010s, with the national men's team qualifying for the third edition of the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. They eventually worked on their ODI game and made it into the 2015 and 2019 World Cups, but could win a single encounter in 15 outings.
Afghanistan in World Cups: 15 Matches, 1 Won, 14 Lost, Win percentage: 6.66
4) Bermuda
Bermuda's Dwayne Leverock took a stunning catch vs IND in 2007 WC [Source: Twitter]
Bermuda have had a solitary World Cup appearance in 2007, where they finished last in their group, losing all three matches to Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh.
Bermuda in World Cups: 3 Matches, 3 Lost, Win percentage: 0
3) East Africa
Just like Bermuda, East Africa also have featured in the World Cup for a single time, losing all three fixtures in the inaugural edition in 1975.
East Africa in World Cups: 3 Matches, 3 Lost, Win percentage: 0
2) Namibia
Namibia featured in the 2003 WC for the first and last time [Source: Twitter]
Namibia participated in the 2003 World Cup as one of the host nations. However, they had a miserable run in the tournament, incurring heavy defeats to significantly stronger outfits in all six matches.
Namibia in World Cups: 6 Matches, 6 Lost, Win percentage: 0
1) Scotland
Scotland recently defeated WI in WC qualifiers [Source: Twitter]
Despite giving stronger outfits a run for their money, Scotland are yet to record a win in the ICC World Cup. They have played 14 World Cup matches across three editions, 1999, 2007 and 2015, losing all of them and making into this list as the most unsuccessful side in the history of the tournament.
Scotland in World Cups: 14 Matches, 14 Lost, Win percentage:0
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