T20 World Cup: Top Upsets For the Ages

The T20 World Cup, cricket’s biggest abbreviated style tournament, has always produced thrilling encounters and shocking upsets. As it commonly is with cricketing nations, they will normally rule the roost with a shorter format only enabling underdogs to pull off upsets once in a while.

Here's a look at the biggest upsets in T20 World Cup history:

1. Afghanistan's dominant display against New Zealand (2024):

Today's match wasn't just an upset, it was a statement by Afghanistan. Batting first, they put up a strong total of 159 runs for 6 wickets. Rahmanullah Gurbaz's explosive 80 runs off just 56 balls played a crucial role in propelling Afghanistan's score. The bowling attack, known for their passion and accuracy, then restricted New Zealand to a mere 75 runs, dismissing them all out within 15 overs. This emphatic victory by a significant margin cements Afghanistan's position as a major force in T20 cricket.

This win adds another chapter to the T20 World Cup's legacy of unexpected results. It's a testament to the ever-evolving cricketing landscape, where any team can challenge the established order. The Afghanistan vs. New Zealand match serves as an inspiration for all underdogs, proving that with talent, determination, and a touch of brilliance, anything is possible on the T20 stage.

2. USA stuns Pakistan in a Super Over Thriller (2024):

Having left the stage of co-organizers, the USA, the newbies in cricket, became the leaders of the shock in the tournament. In a thrilling match against Pakistan, a nation that has a great Holding bowl in the shortest form of cricket, the scores were level after the standard 20 overs. The Carabao Cup final was decided through the super over, where nerves prevailed as the USA possibly hit the right shots to signal a new beginning for America’s cricket team.

3. Ireland humbles England in a rain-affected clash (2022):

Ireland has earned a nickname for itself creating instances of scares against superior teams. Having lost to their arch-enemies England in the group stage, they staged a dramatic comeback in 2022 when they beat the English in Melbourne. A DLS adjusted target after rain ended Ireland’s inning needing only six runs in the last over. They were able to close the win with one ball to spare thus ejecting England from the tournament.

4. Namibia scripts a record-breaking win over Sri Lanka (2022):

Namibia showed sheer dominance in bowling when they emerged victorious over Sri Lanka in the year 2022. Bowling maestros demolished the batting behemoths and restricted them to a mere 13, the worst T20 World Cup total so far. Namibia’s chasing made history in the cricket world and they reached the target without any problem.

5. Afghanistan upsets West Indies in a high-scoring encounter (2016):

At the 2016 edition, the rising team Afghanistan ousted the two-time champions West Indies. In the chase of a stiff 182-run target, Mohammad Nabi the all-rounder played an aggressive innings of 52 runs and the clinching bowling spell of 2 wickets took Afghanistan home.

6. Netherlands gatecrashes England's party at Lord's (2009):

The first T20 World Cup took a surprise right from the opening match. The Netherlands who were regarded as tiny players in the past were able to cause major upsets in the cricket world. They dominated their match against England who are the hosts and also the favorites, at the prestigious Lord’s Cricket Ground to signal a new dawn in the T20.