Top 3 cricket teams that have gone from underdogs to record breakers
Afghanistan ODI team (Source: X/@ACBofficials)
Published - 23 Aug 2026, 05:31 AM• Read time - 2 mins
Cricket is one such sport mastered by only a handful of nations, with other teams just being spectators. While the gulf between the top and the lower-ranked sides was wider in the 20th century, it is gradually diminishing in the 21st century.
Over the past few years, several smaller teams have defied expectations and risen in stature at the international level. These sides have scripted a remarkable rise in international cricket, challenging top nations at the highest stage. Here are the top three teams that have gone from underdogs to record breakers:
1. Afghanistan
Afghanistan have seen a remarkable rise in international cricket over the past few years. Not long ago, they were playing in WCL Division Five, the lowest tier of the World Cricket League, against teams such as Japan, Botswana and the Bahamas.
They earned Test status in 2018 and recorded their maiden Test victory against Bangladesh in 2019. Afghanistan have also qualified for four consecutive ODI World Cups, from 2015 to 2027. They also registered remarkable wins over England, Sri Lanka and Pakistan at the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Their greatest achievement came at the 2024 T20 World Cup, where they reached the semi-finals for the first time in an ICC senior men's tournament. They have also defeated every Full Member in men's international cricket except India.
2. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's journey to be counted amongst the strongest teams in Asia is one of the greatest success stories. Having won less than 10 of their first 50 international matches, they were initially labelled outsiders among the established cricketing nations.
Everything changed with their historic 1996 World Cup triumph. Sri Lanka subsequently completed a trifecta of ICC white-ball titles, winning the 2002 Champions Trophy jointly with India and the 2014 T20 World Cup.
For almost two decades between the mid-1990s and mid-2010s, Sri Lanka were consistently among the contenders at every major ICC tournament.
3. Scotland
Scotland's success at the international level has been gradual, evolving from minnows into one of the leading Associate sides.
They have begun competing on equal terms with established nations and are widely regarded as one of the Associate teams closest to Full Member status.