In a fitting finale to their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, Afghanistan delivered a clinical performance to crush Canada by 82 runs in their Group D encounter at Chennai. Despite not advancing further in the tournament, the Afghan side showcased their prowess with bat and ball, signing off on a high note.
Match Overview
Canada won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to exploit early conditions against an Afghanistan team eager to end their journey positively. Afghanistan posted a formidable 200 for 4 in their 20 overs, powered by an unbeaten 95 from opener Ibrahim Zadran and a solid 44 from Rahmanullah Atal. Canada’s Jaskaran Singh was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 wickets for 52 runs.
In response, Canada struggled against Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling attack, managing only 118 for 8. Harsh Thaker top-scored with 30, but the innings never gained momentum as Afghanistan bowled 68 dot balls, stifling the chase. Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi starred with the ball, taking an impressive 4 for 7 in his spell.
Afghanistan’s Batting Masterclass
Afghanistan started brightly in the powerplay but slipped to 49/2 after Jaskaran Singh’s impactful over. However, Zadran anchored the innings masterfully, falling just short of a century with his unbeaten 95. His knock included elegant strokeplay and smart rotation of strike, helping Afghanistan play only 31 dot balls throughout their innings—a stark contrast to Canada’s bowling effort. Atal’s aggressive 44 provided the early impetus, setting the tone for a total that proved too steep for the opposition.
Nabi’s Bowling Brilliance Seals the Deal
Chasing 201, Canada’s batting lineup crumbled under pressure. Nabi was the wrecker-in-chief, claiming four wickets including a sequence of one, two, three, four in quick succession. His economical spell kept the required run rate climbing, and Canada could never recover. The Afghan bowlers maintained tight lines, ensuring the match was wrapped up comfortably.
Full Scorecard
| Team | Score | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 200/4 (20 overs) | Ibrahim Zadran 95*, Rahmanullah Atal 44; Jaskaran Singh 3-52 |
| Canada | 118/8 (20 overs) | Harsh Thaker 30; Mohammad Nabi 4-7 |
Wrapping Up the Campaign
This victory marked a dominant end for Afghanistan, who bowed out of the T20 World Cup 2026 with heads held high. While the tournament didn’t go as planned overall, performances like Zadran’s batting and Nabi’s bowling highlight the team’s potential for future success. For Canada, it was a tough outing, but they showed glimpses of fight in a challenging group stage.
Video Source: YouTube
