The 2024 T20 World Cup has seen some of the most unbelievable moments that will be remembered for the performances of the bottom-ranked sides who shocked the cricketing circuit with some determined performances. Afghanistan has won praise for its determined effort in all three departments. A country where there is instability in every individual's life, Afghanistan proved to the entire world that if you have the determination and hunger to achieve anything then no one can stop you if you work hard towards that goal.

Afghanistan has made it to the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup and irrespective of their fate in this event going further, this Afghanistan team has won everyone's hearts. On the other hand, the USA played its first T20 World Cup and made it to the Super 8 phase as they beat Pakistan in what was a brilliant all-round performance. In this piece, we talk about the three upsets that we witnessed in the 2024 T20 World Cup which will act as a motivational source for other bottom-ranked sides. Both Afghanistan and the USA surprised everyone with these wins and we look into these wins in detail:

1) USA Vs Pakistan 6th June 2024 (Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Dallas)-

USA's captain Monank Patel won the toss and elected to bowl first. Pakistan scored 159/7 in 20 overs which was considered quite low looking at their batting lineup. Captain Babar Azam scored 44 in 43 balls while all-rounder Shadab Khan scored 40 in 25 balls. Left-arm orthodox bowler Nosthush Kenjige claimed 3/30 and pacer Saurabh Netrawalkar claimed 2/18. USA bowlers bowled well while their fielding looked sharp, especially inside the inner ring. 

In reply, USA  tied the score to 159/3 in 20 overs. The match went into a super over with USA batting first scoring 18 in that over. Netrawalkar bowled well and managed to restrict the Pakistani batters as they finished scoring 13/1 with USA winning by 5 runs. It will be remembered as one of the most shocking defeats in the history of T20 World Cups. USA captain Monank Patel was announced man of the match for his fine 50 in 38 balls. It was a creditable win for a team that played its first T20 event.

2)New Zealand Vs Afghanistan 8th June 2024 (Providence Stadium, Guyana)-

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to bowl first. Afghanistan scored 159/6 in 20 overs with Rahmatullah Gurbaz scoring 80 in 56 balls while Ibrahim Zadran scoring 44 in 41 balls. Trent Boult and Matt Henry returned with figures of 2/22 and 2/37 respectively.  Afghanistan bowlers produced a superlative bowling performance. Their fielders did a great job, especially in the outfield and their catching was sensational. Fazalhaq Farooqi and skipper Rashid Khan registered figures of 4/17 each while senior pro Mohammad Nabi registered figures of 2/16. Afghanistan won by 84 runs and highlighted their capabilities to take on the big boys of cricket.

3) Australia Vs Afghanistan 23rd June 2024 (Arnos Vale Stadium, Kingston)-

Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bowl first thinking that chasing under the lights would be easy. Afghanistan batters put up a decent total depending on the conditions scoring 148/6 with Rahmanullah Gurbaz scoring 60 in 49 balls while Ibrahim Zadran scoring 51 in 48 balls. Cummins registered figures of 3/28 while the leg spinner Adam Zampa registered figures of 2/28. When Australia began the run chase the ball was seaming around and the Australian batters found it difficult to score easily.

Afghanistan bowlers bowled a tight line while their ground fielding and fielding in the outfield was amazing. They took some brilliant catches. All-rounder Gulbadin Naib registered figures of 4/20 while medium pacer Naveen Ul Haq returned with figures of 3/20. Afghanistan won by 21 runs restricting Australia to a total of 127. This will go down as one of the biggest upsets in the history of T20 World Cups where a lower-ranked team defeated a champion team.