The landscape of international cricket is changing. Once seen as mere participants, the Associate nations have evolved into genuine giant-killers, especially in the shortest formats of the game. In form of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 appears in the historical plains of India And Sri LankaThe narrative of “minnows” is being replaced by tactical brilliance and high-octane performance.
For many years, these nations fought for a seat at the table; Now, they are the ones setting the menu. from clinical professionalism Netherlands For the fearless aggression of scotlandAssociate teams have achieved impressive victories, often at the expense of established Test playing nations.
Top 5 Associate teams with most wins in T20 World Cup
Although some of these teams have recently gained full member status (such as Afghanistan), a significant part of their legacy and their victories were built during their years as Associate members, serving as a blueprint for the rising tide of global cricket.
1. Netherlands (11 wins)
Netherlands are currently on the cusp of associate success in the T20 World Cup. After their recent seven-wicket win namibia At the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi, the Dutch have officially registered 11 wins in the history of the tournament.
His journey has been defined by the “complete cricket” philosophy. Perhaps his most iconic moment is the 2009 opening match at Lord’s, where he stunned England on the last ball. Since then, he has become a model of sustainability. In the 2022 edition, he famously defeated South AfricaA result which eliminated the Proteas from the tournament and paved the way for Pakistan to reach the final. such as under the leadership of strategic captains Scott Edwards And as if strengthened by all-rounders bass de leadeThe Netherlands have transformed from an underdog team to one that no full member can take lightly.
2. Scotland (8 wins)
Scotland has risen rapidly in the ranks, especially over the last five years. After their historic 2026 performance at the Eden Gardens, where they became the first Associate nation to cross the 200-run mark in a World Cup innings (207/4 against Italy), their win tally has reached 8.
The Scots play a brand of cricket that is both aggressive and technically sound. Their “Golden Generation”, featuring players such as George Munsey, Richie BerringtonAnd Michael Leaskhas continuously pushed the boundaries. Their 2021 campaign was a high point, as they finished top of their group after beating bangladesh, omanAnd Papua New Guinea To reach Super 12. This success is not accidental; This is a result of a strong home structure and a fearless approach towards powerplay overs.
3. Afghanistan (5 wins as associate)
Whereas afghanistan Now a full member and a legitimate semi-finalist, their early impact on the world stage was made as an Associate powerhouse. During their tenure as the Associate nation, they achieved 5 major wins in the T20 World Cup.
The Afghan story is one of the most romantic in sporting history, rising from the refugee camps to the top of the ICC rankings. Their opening win against the likes hong kong, zimbabweAnd Scotland laid the foundation for the world-class spin attack they boast today. players like Rashid Khan And mohammad nabi It was during these associate years that he announced himself for the first time, proving that talent knows no limits. His transformation from “top ally” to “full-fledged member threat” was arguably the fastest in the history of the game.
4. Namibia (5 wins)
The Eagles of Namibia are the newest giants on this list, but their impact has been immediate. with 5 wins In their recent World Cup performances, Namibia have proven to be an incredibly disciplined unit.
His debut in 2021 was no less than a fairy tale. Under the leadership of gerhard erasmus and all round excellence david wiesehe defeated ireland And the Netherlands qualified for the Super 12 stage at their first attempt. Namibia’s strength lies in their bowling variety and their ability to remain calm under pressure. Their win against Sri Lanka in the opening match of 2022 is one of the biggest upsets in the history of the competition, proving that on their day, they can demolish even the most experienced batting lineups.
5. Ireland (3 wins as associate)
Ireland is often credited with starting the Associate Revolution. Before being granted Test status in 2017, they achieved 3 important wins in the T20 World Cup as an Associate team.
The Irish “giant-killing” DNA was established in the 2009 edition when they lost bangladesh To reach Super 8. While his T20 record as an Associate was slightly overshadowed by his famous 50-over World Cup exploits, his presence always signaled a threat to the established elite. Even after becoming a full member, he continued this trend, famously hitting the England In the 2022 T20 World Cup. Their legacy as an Allied nation provided a roadmap for teams like usa And oman The belief that the gap between “big” and “small” nations is diminishing.
The 2026 T20 World Cup is proving that associate cricket is no longer a sideshow; This is an important part of the main program. Led by teams like the Netherlands and Scotland, the era of predictable group stages is officially over.
Also read: ICC confirms whether Pakistan will play against India in T20 World Cup 2026