Epic Upsets In T20 World Cup: There couldn’t have been a better start to the T20 World Cup 2022 than the first game. Namibia pulled off one of the greatest upsets in T20 cricket forget the World Cup when they defeated Sri Lanka. Dasun Shanaka led-Sri Lanka started as overwhelming favourites in the contest. Nobody had given Namibia a chance in the game.
A team win that triggered an upset:
But a clinical team performance ensured that Namibia won the game comfortably. Their performance has already made other teams aware that any team can beat the other on a given day in T20.
We look at similar such upsets in T20 World Cup history:
#4 Bangladesh vs West Indies, 2007
The West Indies had started the tournament on a bang scoring 200 runs batting first against South Africa. But their indisciplined bowling cost them the game. They were in a must-win situation when they came up against Bangaldesh.
The Windies batted first scoring 164 runs. It was considered a par score during the early days of T20 cricket. But a young Bangladeshi side romped home in style. They staged a mighty upset to throw West Indies out of the inaugural tournament. It was for the third time in 2007 that Bangladesh had upset cricketing giants.
#3 Afghanistan vs West Indies, 2016
Not many are aware that the world beating West Indies side had lost to Afghanistan in T20 World Cup 2016. This loss was their only one of the tournament. A Windies side had beaten England (twice), South Africa, and India ended up losing to Afghans. The Asian side had posted a meagre total batting first. It seemed that the Windies team had taken the Afghans lightly. They eventually failed to chase a total of 124 collapsing to a shock defeat.
#2 Netherlands vs England, 2009
England were the host nation for T20 World Cup 2009. They squared up against Netherlands in the group stage. England batted first and posted a formidable score of 162. The total was expected to be beyond the Dutch. But to everyone’s surprise they came out all guns blazing. They were in the game fighting right till the last ball. Netherlands needed two runs off the final ball and they scampered home for a second. The Brits were stunned at their home.
#1 Zimbabwe vs Australia, 2007
It has to be one of the biggest upsets of all-time across formats. In the inaugural edition of T20 World Cup 2007, Australia hadn’t warmed up to the giant that T20Is will become. They were not short of playing the format though. Batting first, Australia posted a below par total of 139. Their gun bowling unit was expected to blow Zimbabwe away.
But the African nation put up a spirited performance. Brendan Taylor brilliantly spearheaded the chase to lead Zimbabwe to a monumental win. It remains one of the most glorious moments of T20 World Cup.
