The biggest upsets in Women's T20 World Cup history — Shocks that changed cricket forever

The T20 format is very different from traditional cricket. It is fast, unpredictable, and full of sudden twists. One good over or one bad moment can completely change the result of a match. That is why T20 cricket is known for shocking upsets and unforgettable moments.

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup began in 2009, two years after the men’s tournament was introduced. Since then, the competition has grown into one of the biggest events in women’s cricket. Over the years, fans have witnessed several surprising results, dramatic finishes, and emotional victories that changed the history of the game.

World Cups are always known for unexpected moments. Strong teams often face shocking defeats, while underdog nations rise to the occasion and create history. The Women’s T20 World Cup has produced many such moments, with teams dramatically spoiling each other’s campaigns.

The 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will be the tenth edition of the tournament and will be hosted in England from June 12 to July 5. A total of 12 teams will compete across seven venues. The tournament will also feature the Netherlands for the first time, while New Zealand enter the competition as the defending champions after winning the 2024 edition.

From heartbreaking semifinal losses to historic wins against top teams, the Women’s T20 World Cup has delivered many memorable upsets. Teams like Australia, India, England, and South Africa have all suffered unexpected defeats, while emerging nations have grabbed global attention with fearless performances. Here are the top five biggest upsets in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup.

#5 Australia Women beat India Women (2020 Women’s T20 World Cup Final)

India entered the 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final unbeaten and full of confidence, but Australia produced a dominant performance in front of a record crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The final, played on March 8, 2020, marked India’s first-ever appearance in a Women’s T20 World Cup final, while Australia were aiming to win their fifth title.

After winning the toss, Australian captain Meg Lanning decided to bat first. Australia posted a massive total of 184/4 in 20 overs, thanks to brilliant innings from Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney. Healy played a fearless knock of 75 runs from just 39 balls, while Mooney remained unbeaten on 78. Deepti Sharma picked up two wickets for India, while Poonam Yadav and Radha Yadav claimed one wicket each.

Chasing a difficult target, India struggled from the very beginning as Australia’s bowlers dominated the powerplay. India were reduced to 30/4 inside six overs, putting them under huge pressure. Deepti Sharma tried to fight back with a quick 33-run innings, but wickets kept falling regularly as India were bowled out for just 99 in 19.1 overs. Megan Schutt starred with the ball for Australia by taking four wickets, while Jess Jonassen added three more.

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Australia eventually secured a massive 85-run victory to lift their fifth Women’s T20 World Cup trophy. Alyssa Healy was named Player of the Match for her explosive innings, while Beth Mooney won the Player of the Tournament award. The defeat was heartbreaking for India, but the final also became a landmark moment for women’s cricket because of the record attendance and global attention the match received.

#4 Sri Lanka Women beat West Indies Women (ICC Women's T20 World Cup, 2012)

The fourth match on this list is the rain-affected clash between Sri Lanka Women and West Indies Women in Galle during the group stage of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, 2012. The game went on to become one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history, as Sri Lanka shocked a much stronger and more experienced West Indies side through the DLS method.

At the time, the West Indies featured several world-class players, including Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin, and were widely expected to win comfortably. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, entered the contest as clear underdogs. Rain interruptions reduced the match to a shortened affair, increasing the pressure on both teams. Sri Lanka managed only 50/3 in 10.3 overs before rain stopped play, a total that looked below par.

However, the revised DLS target of 48 runs from eight overs proved far more difficult than expected. Sri Lanka responded with an outstanding bowling and fielding display to completely derail the West Indies batting line-up. Chamani Seneviratna and Inoka Ranaweera bowled brilliantly, while the fielders added immense pressure with four run-outs and two stumpings.

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Forced to attack from the start, the West Indies kept losing wickets at regular intervals and never recovered from the collapse. They eventually finished on 42/8, falling short by six runs. The victory became a historic moment for Sri Lanka Women and perfectly highlighted the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, where disciplined bowling and sharp fielding can overturn even the strongest opposition.

#3 West Indies Women beat Australia Women (ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Final 2016)

The third match on this list is the 2016 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Final between Australia Women and West Indies Women at Eden Gardens on April 3, 2016. The match is widely regarded as one of the biggest upsets in women’s cricket history because Australia entered the final as overwhelming favourites. They had already won the previous three Women’s T20 World Cups and were appearing in their fourth consecutive final, while West Indies Women were playing their first-ever final after years of falling short in the semi-finals.

Australia won the toss and elected to bat first, posting a strong total of 148/5 in 20 overs. Elyse Villani starred with a brilliant 52 off 37 balls, while captain Meg Lanning also scored a crucial half-century to put the defending champions in control. Despite some disciplined bowling from Deandra Dottin, who finished with figures of 2/33 in four overs, Australia looked set to defend the target comfortably, given their experience and dominance in world cricket.

However, the West Indies produced a fearless response in the chase. After a cautious start, Hayley Matthews completely changed the momentum with a sensational innings of 66 runs from just 45 balls. Alongside captain Stafanie Taylor, Matthews built a match-winning partnership that stunned the Australian attack. Australia struggled to regain control despite the efforts of Kristen Beams, who picked up one wicket.

West Indies eventually chased down the target with ease, reaching 149/2 in 19.3 overs to seal an unforgettable eight-wicket victory and claim their maiden Women’s T20 World Cup title. The result became historic not only because the West Indies defeated the tournament’s most dominant team on the biggest stage, but also because it symbolised the rise of a new powerhouse in women’s cricket. Later that evening, the West Indies men’s team also lifted the T20 World Cup trophy, making West Indies the first nation to win both the men’s and women’s World T20 titles on the same day.

#2 Sri Lanka Women beat India Women ( ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2014)

The fourth match in Group B of the 2014 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup turned out to be a major upset as Sri Lanka Women stunned a strong India Women's side with a disciplined all-round performance at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. India entered the contest as favourites because of their experienced squad featuring players like Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, making Sri Lanka’s victory one of the biggest surprises of the tournament.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a competitive total of 128/8 in 20 overs. Chamari Athapaththu played a vital knock of 43 runs from 44 balls, while Eshani Kaushalya contributed 34 runs off 29 deliveries to strengthen the innings. Chamari Polgampola also chipped in with a quick 13 off nine balls towards the end. For India, Poonam Yadav claimed two wickets, while Shikha Pandey, Soniya Dabir and Gouher Sultana picked up one wicket each.

In reply, India’s batting line-up collapsed under pressure against Sri Lanka’s superb bowling attack. Shikha Pandey top-scored with 22 runs, while Harmanpreet Kaur made 17 and Mithali Raj added 16, but no batter could build a match-winning partnership. Sri Lanka’s bowlers dominated the chase, with Udeshika Prabodhani, Maduri Samuddika and Inoka Ranaweera taking two wickets each. India eventually finished on 106/9 in 20 overs, handing Sri Lanka a memorable 22-run victory in one of the biggest upsets in Women’s T20 World Cup history.

#1 Pakistan Women beat India Women (ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2012)

Number one, we have one of cricket’s greatest rivalries. In a low-scoring encounter between India Women and Pakistan Women during Group A of the 2012 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at Galle International Stadium, Pakistan stunned India with a dramatic one-run victory in a nail-biting finish. The result is remembered as one of the biggest upsets in Women’s T20 World Cup history because India entered the match as clear favourites with a more experienced and star-studded squad featuring players like Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami and Harmanpreet Kaur.

Batting first, Pakistan struggled to build momentum against India’s disciplined bowling attack and managed only 98/9 in their 20 overs. Captain Sana Mir top-scored with a patient 26 off 38 balls, while Nain Abidi contributed an important 25 runs. Lower-order batter Marina Iqbal added a valuable unbeaten 9 off six balls towards the end to help Pakistan reach a competitive total. For India, Jhulan Goswami and Rasanara Parwin picked up two wickets each, while Anuja Patil also claimed two wickets.

Despite the modest target, the Women in Blues failed to dominate the chase as Pakistan’s bowlers produced a sensational performance under pressure. India lost wickets regularly and never managed to build a strong partnership. Jhulan Goswami scored 21 runs, while Punam Raut fought hard with 18 runs, and captain Mithali Raj added 16. However, Pakistan’s bowlers consistently tightened the pressure and forced India into mistakes throughout the innings.

The biggest turning point came through the brilliant spell of Nida Dar, who delivered match-winning figures of 3/12 in four overs. Bismah Maroof also played a key role with two wickets, while captain Sana Mir chipped in with one wicket and controlled the game brilliantly in the middle overs. Pakistan’s fielding effort was equally impressive, with crucial run-outs and sharp catching increasing the pressure on India during the tense chase.

India eventually finished on 97/8 in 20 overs, falling short by just one run in one of the closest matches in Women’s T20 World Cup history. The victory became a historic moment for Pakistan Women because very few expected them to defeat a stronger Indian side on such a massive stage. The combination of intense India-Pakistan rivalry, a dramatic finish, and Pakistan defending a low total against one of the tournament favourites makes this one of the most memorable and biggest upsets in women’s cricket history.

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