After a great IPL 2024, where games could change on the last ball, the T20 World Cup 2024 is just as exciting. We’re not halfway through, but we’ve already seen three big surprises.
Games that looked easy for some teams turned out to be wins for the underdogs. Let’s look at the top three surprises that have changed the tournament.
1. USA Beats Pakistan: A Big Win
In a game that will be remembered, the USA beat Pakistan in a close match in Texas. This is a huge win for the USA, who are new to the tournament.
Both teams scored 159 in 20 overs. The USA needed 14 in the last over and tied the game. In extra time, they scored 18. Pakistan tried to win but could only get 13. This is one of the biggest surprises in T20 World Cup history.
2. Afghanistan Wins Against New Zealand: A Strong Game
New Zealand looked stronger on paper, but Afghanistan won by 84 runs. New Zealand only scored 75 runs, which shocked many people.
Afghanistan’s captain, Rashid Khan, said it was one of their best games. The pitch was hard to score on, but their batsmen did well. Their bowlers, like Mohammad Nabi and Fazalhaq Farooqi, were too good for New Zealand.
This win puts Afghanistan close to the next round. New Zealand must win their next game to stay in the tournament.
3. Bangladesh Beats Sri Lanka: A Win Over Rivals
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are big rivals. Even though Sri Lanka recently won the Asia Cup, they lost two games in a row, one to Bangladesh.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers did well, but luck was with Bangladesh. Their captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, was happy with his team, especially Litton Das and Hridoy. This win makes their group more interesting, and Sri Lanka is in trouble.
As we pass half of the tournament, these surprises show that in T20 cricket, every ball matters, and underdogs can win. Fans are excited to see who will win this big cricket event.
Note: This article is about games up to June 9th and will be updated later.