T20 World Cup: Instances when associate teams defeated full member sides
Cricket fever is incredibly high nowadays with the high-voltage ICC T20 World Cup 2021 being underway. The past six editions of the competition have witnessed some fascinating and nothing less is expected in this year’s tournament.
T20 is known to be an uncertain format as momentum can shift within a span of a few deliveries. Owing to the same, teams can’t afford to put their guards down at any stage of the game. The dynamics of the game also give a significant opportunity to weaker teams to defeat sides stronger than them. Many such upsets have been witnessed in T20 World Cups as well.
Meanwhile, let’s look at the instances when associate teams defeated full member sides in T20 World Cup:-
Netherlands v England, 2009
The Netherlands stunned England in the opening clash of the 2009 tournament. Chasing 163 to win at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Stadium, the Dutch side needed two runs off the final ball. While the game seemed to end in a tie, an overthrow from Stuart Broad took the Netherlands to a famous four-wicket win. Tom de Grooth was the top scorer for the Dutch, with 49 runs off 30 deliveries.
Hong Kong v Bangladesh, 2014
Bangladesh suffered an emphatic humiliation in front of their home crowd during the 2014 tournament. Hong Kong asked the hosts to bat first after winning the toss. The bowlers justified the decision as the Bangla Tigers were bundled out for 108. Although Hong Kong’s chase wasn’t smooth, they eventually crossed the line with a couple of deliveries to spare, winning the game by two wickets.
Netherlands v England, 2014
The ghosts of 2009 haunted England in the 2014 event as well. On this occasion, in fact, the Three Lions suffered an even more humiliating defeat. The Netherlands posted 133/5 while batting first in Chattogram. Chasing the tricky total, the Three Lions lost wickets at regular intervals and got skittled out for 88, losing the contest by 45 runs.
Afghanistan vs West Indies, 2016
West Indies’ only defeat in the 2016 T20 World Cup was recorded against Afghanistan. Batting first in Nagpur, the Afghan side could only post 123/7 thanks to a 48-run cameo from Najibullah Zadran. While the Caribbean team’s victory looked inevitable, West Indies could only manage 117/8 and narrowly lost the game by six runs.
Scotland vs Bangladesh, 2021
The latest upset in T20 World Cups was inflicted by Scotland against Bangladesh. Batting first in Al Amerat, the Scottish side was reduced to 53/6 and Bangladesh looked firmly in command. However, Chris Greaves’ 45-run cameo took Scotland to 140/9. Bangladesh’s chase never went smooth as they were restricted to 134/7 in their allotted 20 overs. This way Scotland won the contest by six runs.
