Afghanistan wrapped up their ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on a high note, delivering a masterclass in spin bowling and clinical batting to dismantle Canada by 82 runs at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium. While both teams had already been eliminated from Super 8 contention, the fixture served as a significant "pride clash," allowing Afghanistan to finish third in Group D and providing an emotional farewell to departing legends.
Match Summary
- Afghanistan: 200/4 (20 overs)
- Canada: 118/8 (20 overs)
- Result: Afghanistan won by 82 runs.
Record-Breaking Night for Ibrahim Zadran
After being put into bat on a classic Chepauk deck that offered early grip, Afghanistan’s openers set the tone immediately. Ibrahim Zadran played the innings of the tournament for his nation, remaining unbeaten on 95 off 56 balls. His knock was a tactical masterpiece, as he navigated the tricky powerplay before launching a brutal assault in the final overs, hitting seven boundaries and five sixes.
Zadran’s 95* now stands as the highest individual score by an Afghanistan batter in a T20 World Cup match, surpassing the previous record of 84 set by teammate Rahmanullah Gurbaz earlier in the tournament. He shared a steady 47-run opening stand with Gurbaz (30) and a devastating 95-run partnership with Sediqullah Atal (44), powering Afghanistan to their first-ever 200-plus total in World Cup history. Canada’s Jaskaran Singh was the only bowler to stem the tide, finishing with figures of 3 for 52.
The Spin Web Tightens
Canada’s chase of 201 was doomed from the outset. Facing one of the world's most feared bowling attacks on a spinning track, the Canadian top order looked out of its depth. Mujeeb Ur Rahman set the stage by clean-bowling Dilpreet Bajwa early, but it was the veteran Mohammad Nabi who truly broke the back of the Canadian innings.
Nabi delivered a generational spell of spin bowling, returning incredible figures of 4 for 7 in his four overs. His ability to find turn and bounce at Chepauk left the Canadian middle order guessing, effectively ending the contest by the 12th over. Rashid Khan maintained the stranglehold with 2 for 19, ensuring there was no miraculous comeback. Despite gritty late resistance from Harsh Thaker (30) and Saad Bin Zafar (28), who added 53 for the seventh wicket, Canada finished their allotted overs at 118/8.
End of an Era
The match carried heavy emotional weight for the Canadian camp. This fixture marked the final international appearance for Navneet Dhaliwal, the nation's all-time leading T20I run-scorer, and seasoned campaigner Ravinderpal Singh. Both veterans received a guard of honor from their teammates as they walked off the field for the last time.
For Afghanistan, the win was bittersweet. While they missed out on the Super 8s—largely due to a agonizing double Super Over loss to South Africa—the performance reaffirmed their status as a rising powerhouse. Head coach Jonathan Trott, whose contract ends with this tournament, praised the team's resilience in his post-match briefing.
Final Group D Outlook
With the group stage concluded, Afghanistan finishes with two wins and two losses. They have also secured automatic qualification for the 2028 T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand by virtue of their current ICC T20I ranking. Canada, meanwhile, finishes at the bottom of the table but takes away the memory of Yuvraj Samra’s historic century against New Zealand earlier in the week
Earlier in the tournament, fans were also treated to another dramatic encounter as Zimbabwe pulled off a thrilling victory over Sri Lanka. You can read the full match report here: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe Match Result: Zimbabwe Win Thriller
Comments (42)
Great analysis! I think the toss will be crucial. If India bats first and puts up 300+, it's game over for NZ.
Don't underestimate the Black Caps! We've won in India before. Williamson's leadership will make the difference.