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List of Teams Who Lost Two T20 World Cup Finals: Cricket is a game of uncertainties, and this is even more true in a major tournament like the T20 World Cup. India defeated New Zealand by a huge margin of 96 runs in the thrilling final of the T20 World Cup 2026 on Sunday.
With this defeat, New Zealand joins the list of countries that have twice reached the finals but missed out on the trophy. Let's take a look at the teams that reached the finals twice but failed to achieve their dream of winning the title.
Teams with the Most T20 World Cup Final Losses
3. New Zealand: Kiwis' 'chokers' tag deepens
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New Zealand is a team known for its consistency, but luck often runs out on the final night.
- 2021 (vs. Australia): Reaching the T20 World Cup final for the first time, the Kiwis posted a strong total of 172 runs. However, a blistering innings by Australia's Mitchell Marsh shattered New Zealand's dream.
- 2026 (vs. India): In the recently concluded 2026 final, the Indian batsmen piled up a mountain of runs against New Zealand. In response to India's 255/5, New Zealand couldn't withstand the pressure and were bowled out for 159. This crushing 96-run defeat was nothing short of a nightmare for New Zealand.
Also Read: Suryakumar Yadav Stats in T20 World Cup 2026, Captaincy, Runs, and Impact
2. Sri lanka: Heartbroken on home soil
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The Sri Lankan team has also been considered a stalwart in the T20 format, but crossing the final hurdle hasn't always been easy for them.
- 2009 (vs. Pakistan): Playing first at the historic Lord's ground, Sri Lanka scored 138 runs. Pakistan easily achieved this target in 18.4 overs, snatching the trophy from Sri Lanka.
- 2012 (vs. West Indies): This defeat was the most painful for Sri Lanka because the final was held on their home ground. Despite restricting West Indies to 137 runs, the Sri Lankan team was all out for 101 runs and lost the match by 36 runs.
Also Read: Team India HD Wallpaper with T20 World Cup 2026 Trophy, Download
1. Pakistan: Defeats in thrilling matches
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Pakistan was one of the first teams to dominate the T20 format, but the pressure of the finals let them down twice.
- 2007 (vs. India): Pakistan reached the final in the very first edition of the T20 World Cup. Chasing India's 157, the Pakistani team reached the pinnacle of excitement but lost the match by just 5 runs.
- 2022 (vs. England): Pakistan was in the final again after 15 years. In this match played in Melbourne, Pakistan, batting first, scored 137 runs, which England chased down in the 19th over, forcing Pakistan to once again settle for runner-up status.
Also Read: Top 5 Teams with the Most ICC Trophies in Cricket History
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