Top 5 shocking upsets in T20 World Cup history
Big teams like India, Australia, and England often start as favourites, but smaller teams and underdogs have surprised everyone with brave and strong performances in World Cup matches. Here are the five most shocking upsets in T20 World Cup history.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has produced many shocking results over the years. This shows how unpredictable the shortest format of cricket can be. Big teams like India, Australia, and England often start as favourites, but smaller teams and underdogs have surprised everyone with brave and strong performances.
These surprise wins have added a lot of excitement to the tournament. Let us now take a look at five of the most shocking upsets in T20 World Cup history.
Here are the five most shocking upsets in T20 World Cup history.
1. Netherlands vs England, 2009
One of the first big shocks in T20 World Cup history came in 2009 at Lord’s. The Netherlands beat host England by four wickets. England scored 162/5, with Luke Wright hitting 71 off 49 balls. Ryan ten Doeschate took 2 wickets for 35 runs.
The Netherlands chased the target on the last ball. Tom de Grooth scored 49 runs, with support from other batters. James Anderson’s 3/23 went in vain as the Dutch sealed a famous win.
2. Afghanistan vs Australia, 2024
Afghanistan produced a huge upset in the 2024 T20 World Cup by defeating Australia at St Vincent. Afghanistan scored 148/6, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz making 60 and Ibrahim Zadran scoring 51. Pat Cummins led Australia’s bowling with 3/28.
Australia were bowled out for 127 in 19.2 overs. Glenn Maxwell’s 59 was not enough. Afghanistan’s bowlers dominated, with Gulbadin Naib taking 4/20 and Naveen-ul-Haq picking up three wickets.
3. Afghanistan vs West Indies, 2016
Afghanistan registered a historic win in the 2016 T20 World Cup at Nagpur, beating West Indies by six runs. Batting first, Afghanistan scored 123/7, with Najibullah Zadran scoring an unbeaten 48 off 40 balls.
West Indies could manage only 117/8 in reply. Dwayne Bravo scored 28, while Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan took two wickets each to seal the win.
4. Namibia vs Sri Lanka, 2022
Namibia shocked Sri Lanka in the 2022 T20 World Cup at Geelong, winning by 55 runs. Namibia scored 163/7, with Jan Frylinck making 44 and JJ Smit staying unbeaten on 31. Pramod Madushan took 2/37 for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka collapsed in the chase and were bowled out for 108 in 19 overs. Dasun Shanaka top-scored with 29, while Namibia’s bowlers shared the wickets evenly.
5. USA vs Pakistan, 2024
The USA stunned Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup in their first appearance in the tournament. Pakistan scored 159/7, with Babar Azam making 44 and Shadab Khan scoring 40. Nosthush Kenjige took 3/30 for the USA.
The USA matched the total with 159/3, led by Monank Patel’s 50 off 38 balls. The match went into a Super Over, where the USA scored 18 runs. Pakistan could manage only 13, handing the USA a famous five-run win.
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