The West Indies' thrilling win over New Zealand has got them into the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2024. Playing at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad, the West Indies won by 13 runs.
This win has sparked interest in how host countries have performed in previous T20 World Cups. The 2024 World Cup is being jointly hosted by USA and West Indies. And while West Indies have progressed to the next stage, USA may qualify if they beat Ireland on Friday in their last Group A match.
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As the tournament progresses, many are wondering if a host nation can leverage home advantage to claim the ultimate prize. The expectation is that the home team, familiar with local conditions, coupled with home support, would have a significant advantage. However, the reality has often been different, with various factors influencing the outcomes.
More: T20 World Cup 2024: Full list of teams qualified for the Super 8
The journey of host countries in T20 World Cups has seen a mix of highs and lows. While the home advantage has often played an important role, it has not always guaranteed success. The psychological pressure, expectations from home fans, and the unpredictability of the T20 format have often influenced the performance of host nations.
Has a host country won the T20 World Cup?
No host team has ever won the T20 World Cup. This fact is surprising to many cricket fans. Even more interesting is that, except for Sri Lanka in 2012, no host country has ever made it to the final. This makes the journey of the West Indies even more fascinating as they progress to the Super 8 stage.
Let's take a look at the history of winners of T20 world cup at various hosting nations.
| Year | Host Country | Final | Winners | Host country finish |
| 2022 | Australia | England vs Pakistan | England | Super 12 |
| 2021 | UAE & Oman | Australia vs New Zealand | Australia | First round (Oman) |
| 2016 | India | West Indies vs England | West Indies | Semi-Final |
| 2014 | Bangladesh | Sri Lanka vs India | Sri Lanka | Super 12 |
| 2012 | Sri Lanka | West Indies vs Sri Lanka | West Indies | Final |
| 2010 | West Indies | England vs Australia | England | Super 8 |
| 2009 | England | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Pakistan | Super 8 |
| 2007 | South Africa | India vs Pakistan | India | Super 8 |
What are USA's chances at T20 World Cup?
As co-hosts, the USA themselves have had a great performance in the tournament. They started strong, defeating Canada and Pakistan but they faced their first defeat against India. Their final group match is against Canada. Winning this match will guarantee them a spot in the Super 8 stage over Pakistan.
If the USA makes it to the Super 8, it would mean two host countries will be competing in the advanced stages of the tournament. This would add an extra layer of excitement to the T20 World Cup, more so because this is the first time USA is competing in a world cricket event.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on these host teams to see if they can break the trend and achieve something historic.