Weird Incidents and Unique Moments in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019
The 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup was not just about the usual competitive tension and skillful cricketing performances. It was also peppered with some bizarre and out-of-the-box moments. Here, we delve into some of the weirdest and most intriguing components of the tournament, including unique team dynamics, sponsorship anomalies, and even statistical peculiarities.
Strangest Incident: India vs New Zealand in the Semi-Final
Perhaps the most talked-about oddity of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup is the India vs New Zealand semi-final. An unconventional structure where all teams played against each other twice ensured that no team could be complacent. For India, this was an unusual twist in their final match when they faced Bangladesh, with the presence of not one but four designated wicket-keepers in the team. This unprecedented move highlighted the strategic and almost unpredictable nature of contemporary cricket.
Amul's Innovative Sponsorship Tactic
Amul, an Indian dairy brand, made headlines by sponsoring the Afghanistan Cricket team in the 2019 ICC World Cup. This move was significantly different from the typical sponsorship strategies of other brands. The rationale was simple yet brilliant: Amul saw this as a cost-effective and impactful way to market its brand.
Amul leveraged their long-standing relationship with Afghanistan, dating back to 1969 when Frontier Gandhi, Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, visited Amul's plant. Coupling this historical heritage with their current exporting activities (like Amul spray) in Afghanistan made the sponsorship an efficient and meaningful move. Amul's strategy not only boosted its brand visibility but also highlighted the brand's commitment to social and cultural charities. It's a testament to how brands can think outside the box to achieve marketing goals.
Unusual Hat-Tricks in the 2019 ICC World Cup
To add more intrigue, the 2019 ICC World Cup saw two hat-tricks within a span of two weeks. The first was by Mohammed Shami of India against Afghanistan on June 26th. Shami managed to dismiss three consecutive batters (Mohammad Nabi, Aftab Alam, and Mujeeb-ur-Rahman) in the last over of Afghanistan's innings. Notably, all three wickets fell on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th balls of the over.
The second hat-trick, much to everyone's surprise, was achieved by Trent Boult of New Zealand on June 29th. Boult bagged a hat-trick against Australia by dismissing Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Starc, and Jason Behrendorff in the final over of Australia's innings. Both hat-tricks occurred in the last over of the innings, with the wickets falling on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th balls. This rare coincidence triggered discussions about cricket's hidden patterns and lucky streaks in the annals of the game.
The 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup was a unique blend of competitive cricket, innovative team strategies, and marketing ingenuity. From unexpected cricketing events to clever sponsorship approaches, the tournament left a lasting impact on the cricket world. Whether you were a fan of the game or just an observer, there was certainly something to marvel about in these fascinating moments.