The ICC events represent the highest achievements in cricket with each tournament holding significance in its own right. These events are played in different formats such as the Cricket World Cup and Champions Trophy in 50-over format, ICC Test Championships in 5-day format, and ICC World T20 in T20 format, bringing together the top cricketing nations to claim the cricket’s ultimate prizes.
Let us take a look at the teams with the most ICC trophies.
8. South Africa – 1 Trophy
South Africa are regarded as one of the most unluckiest teams in ICC events for various reasons. They were first barred from taking part in the ICC tournaments due to political turmoil and when they finally ended up playing in the World Cup of 1991, they ended up on the wrong side of the DLS method calculation and were asked to chase 22 runs from a single delivery in the semi-final against England.
In the 1999 World Cup, they tied their semi-final against Australia which led to Kangaroos advancing to the final. The disappointing home campaign in the 2007 T20 World Cup and defeat to India in the 2024 T20 World Cup further added to their dry run in ICC events.
Having said that, the Proteas have tasted success in the ICC event once as they lifted the Champions Trophy title in 1998 beating West Indies in the final.
7. New Zealand – 2 Trophies
New Zealand is one of the major cricket-playing nations with a rich cricketing history but has only 2 ICC trophies to show for it. Their first trophy came in the ICC Champions Trophy 2000 when they beat India in the final and their second ICC trophy came in the newly formed ICC Test Championship in the 2019-21 season again defeating India in the final.
The Kiwis came agonizingly close to lifting the 2015 and 2019 Cricket World Cups. They lost to co-hosts Australia in the 2015 final at MCG and lost on the ‘number of boundaries hit’ in the 2019 World Cup final against England after the match and the super over had tied. The rule received backlash after the final and was eventually scrapped by the ICC, but for the Black Caps, the rule change came just a bit late.
6. Sri Lanka – 3 Trophies
Sri Lanka has 3 ICC trophies to their name. They won the World Cup in 1996 defeating Australia in the final and jointly lifted the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002 with India after the final was suspended due to rain. In the 2014 T20 World Cup, the Lankan Lions defeated India in the final to give Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara a perfect sendoff.
Sri Lanka were the runners-up in the 2007 and 2011 Cricket World Cups losing to Australia and India in the final respectively. Their journey in ICC events is marked by their ability to punch above their weight, especially in the limited-overs formats and the team is going through a transitional phase ahead of the upcoming Champions trophy in 2025.
5. Pakistan – 3 Trophies
Pakistan are a formidable force in world cricket. They have a knack for bouncing back from difficult positions in the tournaments, becoming one of the most exciting teams in international cricket. In their storied journey, Pakistan has won 3 ICC titles, the first of which came under the leadership of Imran Khan in the 1992 World Cup defeating England in the final. Men in Green then went on to lift the T20 World Cup in 2009 and ICC Champions Trophy in 2017 beating arch-rivals India in the final.
Pakistan came agonizingly close to lifting the 2007 edition of the T20 World Cup but ended up on the losing side in a dramatic final against India. They also lost to England in the 2022 T20 World Cup final.
4. England – 3 Trophies
England’s cricket history is rich with moments that have shaped the sport. Their cricket history peaked when they won their home Cricket World Cup in 2019 in a titanic battle against New Zealand that went all the way down to the wire at the Home of Cricket. The victory was a testament to their hard work and years of transitional phase under the leadership of Eoin Morgan.
The Three Lions also lifted the T20 World Cup twice in 2010 and 2022. In the 2010 final, they defeated rivals Australia in the final which was also their first-ever ICC trophy and in the 2022 final, they saw off challenge from Pakistan.
3. West Indies – 5 Trophies
West Indies dominated world cricket in the 1970s and 1980s. With players like Malcolm Marshall, Viv Richards, and Andy Roberts at their disposal, they lifted the Cricket World Cup in 1975 and 1979 and reached the final of the 1983 World Cup.
However, they faced a decline in the 1990s, struggling to maintain their previous standards mainly due to political crises, poor facilities, inadequate coaching, and financial struggles in the region
Under the leadership of Brian Lara, West Indies returned to their glory days in 2004, winning the Champions Trophy by beating hosts England in the final.
After a few disappointing ICC events, the team underwent a T20 revolution in the 2010s, and with the help of players like Chris Gayle, Dwyane Bravo, Marlon Samuels, and others, they lifted the T20 World Cup twice in 2012 and 2016.
2. India – 6 Trophies
India has had an incredible journey in ICC tournaments and evolved from underdogs in the early years to becoming one of the most successful teams in world cricket. India’s first ICC triumph came in the 1983 Cricket World Cup when they famously upset West Indies in the final. India and Sri Lanka then shared the Champions Trophy in 2002 with Men in Blue again taking the bragging rights in the 2013 Champions Trophy.
India famously won the inaugural ICC World T20 in South Africa, beating Pakistan in a closely contested final, and won their home Cricket World Cup in 2011 beating Sri Lanka in the final in Mumbai. Their recent ICC triumph came in the T20 World Cup beating South Africa in the final.
1. Australia – 10 Trophies
Australia are the most decorated team in the ICC events. Known for their aggression, mental toughness, and ability to perform under pressure, Kangaroos have left a lasting mark on international cricket. Australia have lifted an astonishing 6 World Cups in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015, and 2023 with the most recent victory coming over hosts India.
They have also lifted 2 Champions Trophies in 2006 and 2009 and a T20 World Cup in 2021 beating New Zealand in the final. Kangaroos are also the current holders of the ICC Test Championship, winning the competition in 2023 by defeating India in the final.
The culture of rarely losing finals has made them a formidable force in cricket, leaving an unmatched legacy on the world stage.
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
