Why 2024 T20 World Cup will be remembered as a World Cup of upsets

The T20 World Cup 2024 is no less than a blockbuster movie. In its business end, the tournament has already witnessed twists, turns, and plots that have made the global event the most competitive one to date in the shortest format.

While an upset or two are always on the cards in the shortest format, the 20-nation T20 World Cup 2024 in the Caribbean and the USA has lived up to its hype and expectations.

The pitches in the Caribbean and the USA have been good too, with the bowlers having an equal say which is a rarity in the T20 format. The competitive nature of the T20 World Cup 2024 has reflected that no team can be taken lightly and even the best in the business could be down and out against an Associate nation.

Here are a few reasons why the T20 World Cup will be remembered as a World Cup of upsets:

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# Associate nations beating Test-playing nations

USA and Canada scripted famous wins during the T20 World Cup 2024 Group stages. Placed in Group A with India, Pakistan, and Ireland, teams like USA and Canada were expected to be pushovers for the Asian giants and Ireland.

The USA inflicted wounds on Pakistan by beating them in the super over. The 2009 World Cup champions were stunned. A less-known Saurabh Netravalkar held nerves of steel in the super over and the USA beat Pakistan.

The said win is indeed one of the biggest upsets of the mega tournament. The impact of the win was such that Pakistan failed to progress to the next round and the USA reached the Super 8 stage.

Canada beat Ireland in the group stages of the T20 World Cup 2024

Canada had their share of success against Ireland in the group stages. Ireland, who are touted as "Giant Killers" got a dose of their own medicine when the T20 World Cup debutants defeated them in New York.

Ireland failed to chase a target of 138 and fell short by 12 runs handing Canada their first-ever win in the T20 World Cup 2024. Nepal fell agonizingly short by the narrowest margin of one run against South Africa in St Vincent on June 15, 2024.

The fact that the Associate nations won against Test-playing nations reflects that the T20 World Cup has been a World Cup of upsets.

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# Pakistan, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka failing to qualify for the Super Eights

Apart from Pakistan, New Zealand and Sri Lanka also failed to qualify for the Super Eights.

The Kane Williamson led New Zealand team were beaten by Afghanistan in Guyana

The Kiwis were undone by a strong Afghanistan performance in Guyana in their opening match. The 2021 T20 World Cup finalists were bundled out for a paltry total of 75 while chasing a target of 160 against Afghanistan.

The Kiwis lost their first-ever match against the Asian team in any format and were shell-shocked. A loss to West Indies ended their campaign in the tournament.

Similarly, Sri Lanka, the champions of the 2014 edition of the T20 World Cup lost to Bangladesh by two wickets in Dallas on June 8, 2024. As the Lankans had already lost to South Africa in their opening game, the loss against the Banlga Tigers ended their campaign.

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# Afghanistan beating Australia

The battle in St. Vincent was described as David vs Goliath with the Aussies expected to run through the Asian team.

However, it was not to be. Afghanistan brought in their A game against Australia and beat them by a margin of 21 runs to bag their maiden win over the mighty Aussies in international cricket.

Afghanistan have proved in this tournament that they are no pushovers and can qualify for the T20 World Cup 2024 semi-finals.

Having beaten New Zealand and Australia already in the tournament, Afghanistan cricket is going onward and upward. The day is not far when they will be on par with other teams in the World and their wins against the said teams will no longer be labeled as "upsets".