Why Zimbabwe Are the Most Dangerous Underdogs in T20 World Cup History?

The ICC T20 World Cup is one of those stages in world cricket which has given a chance to many associate cricket teams to display their best and show their worth by competing against some of the best T20 teams in the world. Since, the last edition of the World Cup, the ICC had made a step towards bringing a total of 20 teams in the World Cup which gives a lot of exposure to them.

The Zimbabwe cricket team is one of those teams which has been part of the T20 World Cup from the first edition in 2007, though they didn't manage to win a single title or reach the knockout stages but the team has provided upsets across the different editions of the World Cup with players like Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, and other local stars.

Zimbabwe Underdogs in World Cup: History of Stunning Upsets

The Zimbabwe T20 World Cup journey across the editions has history of creating upsets for some of the best cricket teams in the world and creating a barrier in qualification race for those teams. As of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Zimbabwe Cricket Team has won 10 out 22 matches and went on to losing side for 11 times with one match ending in No Result.

Zimbabwe has a 100% record against the mighty Australia where they defeated them in the 2007 edition with star players like Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Andrew Symonds, Brett Lee, and many more were in the team. Aussies managed to score only 138 which was chased by Zimbabwe efficiently with one ball remaining. This was followed by Zimbabwe again beating Australia in the T20 World Cup 2026 and creating a panic in Australian dressing room for qualification to Super 8s.

The campaign for Zimbabwe in 2014 as well as 2016 saw a few wins against associate teams like the UAE, Netherlands, Scotland and Hong Kong. But during the ICC T20 World Cup 2022, the team went on to win against Pakistan which was an in-form team during that year with likes of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and many more. Zimbabwe made a stunning upset by winning by just 1 run. The magnitude of that win was so much for Zimbabwe as Pakistan went on to be the finalists of that edition of the World Cup.

Can Zimbabwe Script a Deeper Run in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026?

In the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Zimbabwe cricket team performance has been exceptional where they have become favorites for the Super 8s. The team had started the tournament on a high note by winning against Oman with good margin followed by an upset for Australia. The answer is positive regarding Zimbabwe scripting a deeper run in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 with remaining matches against Ireland and Sri Lanka and cementing a spot in the Super 8s.

With the remaining matches are also scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe can make a difference as the team has been used to the conditions already. There is a high chance that Zimbabwe will be qualifying for the Super 8s instead of mighty Australia and even create a couple of upsets there. This edition of the T20 World Cup could be considered as the best edition for the team till date and justifies why the team is known as the most dangerous underdogs in T20 World Cup history.