Biggest upsets in T20 World Cup 2026 group stage

Published - 21 Feb 2026, 19:32 IST | Updated - 21 Feb 2026, 19:36 IST

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has already produced some mouth-watering surprises, with underdogs defying expectations and top teams facing unexpected setbacks.

Even though they could not get a win, it all started when the USA stunned India with their breathtaking bowling performance at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Nepal, too, came agonisingly close to upset England, but could not succeed.

But there were some underdogs who were successful in getting over the line. From debut wins to established giants being thumped, here are the most shocking results from the group stage that shook the tournament:

One of the tournament’s most memorable moments came when Italy chased down Nepal’s modest total without losing a wicket. Batting first, Nepal were restricted to 123, but Italy’s openers gunned down the target in just 12.4 overs, completing a dominant 10-wicket win, their first ever T20 World Cup victory.

This emphatic display underlined how Associate nations have grown in stature. The Mosca brothers were the heroes for team Italy, with both Justin and Anthony scoring an unbeaten 60 and 62, respectively.