We are up and running with the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and with just two days into the championship we have seen quite a few chaotic moments. The T20 World Cup has exceeded everyone’s expectations
time and again and the hype is no less this time around. Known for its unpredictable and punishing nature, the competition has come across multiple shocking and unexpected results over the years. Reputation goes for a toss when determination and discipline take the front seat in the shortest format of white ball cricket. We have multiple powerhouses go down against the underdogs and that is exactly what makes this competition so special and entertaining. No one is guaranteed a win until they prove their mettle because anyone can get the better of each other on their day of no error. Let us take a look at the five biggest upsets in the T20 World Cup. 1. USA’s win over Pakistan – 2024 The United States of America sent shockwaves across the cricketing fraternity when they took down an in-form Pakistani side at the 2024 T20 World Cup. Pakistan set up a total of 159 and USA managed to get on level terms in the second innings and forced the match to a super over. The home side produced a match winning performance in the Super over and recorded a historic five run win over Pakistan in Texas. 2. Ireland’s victory over England – 2022 The 2022 T20 World Cup witnessed Ireland’s resilient win over their neighbours England with the help of the DLS method. The three lions invited Ireland to bat first who were bowled out for 157. The target was reduced to 111 due to rain and England were stuck at 105/5 in the 15th over which resulted in Ireland being declared the rightful winners in Melbourne. 3. Sri Lanka’s defeat to Namibia – 2022 The 2022 T20 World Cup produced another upset in the form of Sri Lanka’s defeat to Namibia. The African nation was invited to bat first and set a total in the first innings. Namibia managed to score 163/7 in 20 overs and set the right tone for the remainder of the match. They came out all guns blazing with their balling unit and tore Sri Lanka’s batting lineup to shreds. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 108 resulting in a famous 55 run victory for Namibia. 4. Afghanistan’s triumph over West Indies – 2016 Afghanistan shocked a lot of cricketing experts when they defeated the eventual champions of the 2016 T20 World Cup during a Super 10 fixture. The Afghan Atalans took the Windies by a storm just a few days prior to the knockouts and forced them to go back to the drawing board. After setting a target of 124 runs in 120 balls, Afghanistan came out with a disciplined bowling attack to restrict the Caribbean giants to just 117 and pull off a six run victory. 5. Netherland’s win over England – 2009 Netherlands came up with the most unexpected and jaw dropping result in the opening game of the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup. The Dutch silenced a jam-packed crowd at the Lords by defeating England by four wickets. The three lions posted a total of 162/5 at the end of 20 overs and the Netherlands managed to score 163 runs in 120 balls in the second innings. Tom de Grooth was the match winner for the Dutch having scored 49 match winning runs.
