Afghanistan beat Canada by 82 runs in Match 39 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on February 19. Ibrahim Zadran’s unbeaten 95 off 56 balls powered Afghanistan to 200/4, and their bowlers then skittled Canada for just 118 in 20 overs.
Zadran won the Player of the Match for his near-century. Mohammad Nabi was the standout bowler, taking 4 wickets for just 7 runs in 4 overs.
Match Summary: AFG vs CAN
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan Score | 200/4 (20 overs) |
| Canada Score | 118/8 (20 overs) |
| Match Result | Afghanistan won by 82 runs |
| Best Batting (AFG) | Ibrahim Zadran – 95* off 56 balls (7 fours, 5 sixes) |
| Best Batting (CAN) | Harsh Thaker – 30 off 24 balls (3 fours, 1 six) |
| Best Bowling (AFG) | Mohammad Nabi – 4/7 in 4 overs (Econ: 1.75) |
| Best Bowling (CAN) | Jaskaran Singh – 3/52 in 4 overs (Econ: 13.00) |
| Player of the Match | Ibrahim Zadran (AFG) – 95* (56) |
Afghanistan Innings: 200/4 in 20 Overs
Afghanistan lost Rahmanullah Gurbaz (30) and Gulbadin Naib (1) inside the first 6 overs, leaving them at 49/2 in the powerplay. Despite the early setbacks, they still managed 49 runs in the opening spell.
Ibrahim Zadran anchored the innings throughout. He brought up his fifty off 33 balls and kept accelerating. Sediqullah Atal joined him for a crucial third-wicket stand of 95 runs off 33 balls, with Atal contributing 44 off 32.
Azmatullah Omarzai hit a quick 13 off 7 to push the total further. Zadran finished unbeaten on 95 off 56 balls, just 5 runs short of a century. Afghanistan reached 200 off the last ball of the innings.
Jaskaran Singh was Canada’s best bowler with 3 wickets, but he went for 52 in 4 overs. Dilpreet Bajwa was the most economical, conceding just 18 in 3 overs.
Canada Chase: 118/8 in 20 Overs
Canada’s chase fell apart in the powerplay. They lost 3 wickets in the first 6 overs, scoring just 34. Dilpreet Bajwa (13) and Yuvraj Samra (17) went cheaply, and Navneet Dhaliwal fell for a duck.
Harsh Thaker top-scored with 30 off 24, and Saad Bin Zafar added 28 off 26. The two put on a 50-run sixth-wicket stand to give Canada some respectability, but the run rate was always out of reach.
Mohammad Nabi was exceptional, taking 4 wickets for just 7 runs in 4 overs at an economy of 1.75. Rashid Khan chipped in with 2 wickets, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman dismissed Bajwa early.
Canada finished on 118/8, falling 82 runs short of Afghanistan’s total.
Key Highlight: Player of the Match – Ibrahim Zadran’s Dominant 95*
Zadran was in complete control from the moment he walked in. After two early wickets fell, he steadied the ship and then shifted gears to devastating effect. His knock of 95 off 56 balls was the backbone of Afghanistan’s big total.
With the bat: 95* off 56 balls (7 fours, 5 sixes) | SR: 169.64
He reached his fifty off 33 balls and kept going right through to the last delivery. Canada challenged him twice with DRS but could not get him out. He finished just 5 runs short of a well-deserved century.
