The landscape of international cricket is changing. Once seen as mere participants, the Associate Nations have become true giant killers, especially in the shortest format of the game. as ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 opens on historical grounds India and Sri LankaThe minnows narrative is replaced by tactical brilliance and high-octane performance.
For many years, these nations have struggled to sit at the table; now they are the ones who set the menu. From clinical professionalism The Netherlands fearless aggression ScotlandAssociation teams have scored impressive victories, often at the expense of established Test-playing nations.
Top 5 Association teams with most wins in T20 World Cup
Although some of these teams have recently achieved Full Member status (such as Afghanistan), their legacy and a significant portion of their victories have served as a blueprint for the rise of global cricket during their years as Associate members.
1. Netherlands (11 wins)
The Netherlands are currently on the cusp of Associate success in the T20 World Cup. After their win over the last seven wicketkeepers Namibia At the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi, the Dutch have officially won 11 in the history of the tournament.
Their journey is defined by the philosophy of ‘total cricket’. Perhaps their most iconic moment remains the opening match at Lord’s in 2009 when they stunned England in the last ball. Since then, they have become a model of consistency. In the 2022 edition, they famously lost South Africathis result knocked the Proteas out of the tournament and paved the way for Pakistan’s final match. managed by tactical captains such as Scott Edwards and supported by comprehensive people like Bas de LeedeThe Netherlands have gone from underdogs to a side that no Full Member can take lightly.
2. Scotland (8 wins)
Scotland has risen rapidly, particularly in the last five years. After their historic performance at the Eden Gardens in 2026 (207/4 against Italy), where they became the first Associate nation to pass the 200-run mark in a World Cup innings, their tally reached eight.
The Scots play a brand of cricket that is both aggressive and technically sound. In which players like their “Golden Generation” are involved George Munsey, Richie Berringtonand Michael Leaskconsistently pushed the boundaries. Their 2021 campaign was a turning point as they topped their group by defeating them Bangladesh, Omanand Papua New Guinea To reach the Super 12s. This success is no accident; it’s the result of a strong internal structure and a fearless approach to power plays.
3. Afghanistan (Associatively 5 wins)
while Afghanistan now a Full Member and a legitimate semi-finalist, their initial impact on the world stage has been established as an Associate powerhouse. During their stint as an associate nation, they won 5 major T20 World Cups.
The Afghan story is one of the most romantic in sports history, rising from the refugee camps to the upper echelons of the ICC rankings. early victories against some Hong Kong, Zimbabweand Scotland laid the foundation for the world-class spin attack they boast today. Players like it Rashid Khan and Muhammad Nabi For the first time in his Associate years, he proved that talent knows no bounds. Their transition from “top partner” to “Full Member threat” was the fastest in the history of the sport.
4. Namibia (5 wins)
The Namibian Eagles are the newest heavyweights on this list, but their impact was immediate. with 5 wins In recent World Cup appearances, Namibia have proven to be an incredibly disciplined unit.
Their debut in 2021 was nothing short of a fairytale. under his leadership Gerhard Erasmus and all-round excellence David Wiesethey defeated Ireland and the Netherlands qualified for the Super 12 round at the first attempt. Namibia’s strength lies in their bowling variations and their ability to remain calm under pressure. Their win over Sri Lanka in their 2022 opener remains one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s history, proving that they can knock out even the most seasoned batting line-ups on their day.
5. Ireland (3 wins)
Ireland is often credited with starting the Associational revolution. Before they were granted Test status in 2017, they won 3 important T20 World Cup victories as an Associate side.
Ireland’s ‘giant-killing’ DNA was established in 2009 when they lost. Bangladesh To reach the Super 8s. While their T20 record as an Association somewhat overshadows their legendary exploits in 50-plus World Cups, their presence has always signaled a threat to the established elite. Even after becoming Full Members, they continued this trend, famously beaten England In the 2022 T20 World Cup. The association provided a road map for the teams as their legacy as a nation USA and Oman believing that the gap between “big” and “small” nations is closing.
The 2026 T20 World Cup proves that Associate cricket is no longer a sideshow; is an important part of the main event. With the likes of the Netherlands and Scotland leading the way, the era of predictable group stages is officially over.
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