Afghanistan signed off their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a dominant 82-run victory over Canada at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, delivering a complete performance with both bat and ball.
Ibrahim Zadran’s unbeaten 95 and Mohammed Nabi’s sensational four-wicket spell ensured Rashid Khan’s side ended the tournament on a high note.
Batting first, Afghanistan produced their highest-ever total in T20 World Cup history, posting 200 for 4 in 20 overs. Zadran anchored the innings with maturity and controlled aggression, striking seven boundaries and five sixes. His knock came at a crucial time after a mixed tournament, showcasing his class on the big stage.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz contributed a quick 30 off 20 deliveries, adding a valuable 47-run opening stand. Despite early breakthroughs from Canada, including Jaskaran Singh’s double strike in the power play, Afghanistan rebuilt effectively.
Sediqullah Atal composed 44 through the middle overs provided stability before Zadran accelerated in the death overs, finishing just five runs short of a historic century.
Canada’s chase never truly gathered momentum. Captain Dilpreet Bajwa fell early, and the innings quickly slipped to 33 for 3 inside the powerplay. Mohammed Nabi turned the match decisively with a remarkable spell of 4 for 7 in four overs, dismantling the middle order.
He removed key batters including Yuvraj Samra and Nicholas Kirton, putting Afghanistan firmly in control.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Azmatullah Omarzai maintained pressure with disciplined spells, while Rashid Khan chipped in with two wickets. Canada was restricted to 118 for 8, falling well short of the 201-run target.
The match also marked an emotional moment as Zadran dedicated his Player of the Match award to head coach Jonathan Trott, acknowledging his contribution to Afghanistan’s rise in ICC events since 2022.
Although Afghanistan’s campaign ended earlier than expected following a narrow defeat to South Africa, this emphatic win highlighted their depth and resilience. For Canada, the tournament concluded without a victory, but the experience will serve as valuable exposure on the global stage.
