Zadran Stars with Unbeaten 95 – Afghanistan Thrash Canada by 82 Runs in Chennai
Chennai, 20 February (Sports Desk)
Afghanistan defeated Canada by 82 runs in Match 39 of Group D at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) in Chennai. This was a dead-rubber contest for both already-eliminated sides, but Afghanistan signed off their campaign on a high note with a dominant performance, marking the end of head coach Jonathan Trott’s tenure in style. Afghanistan secured their second win of the tournament and finished third in Group D.
Canada won the toss and elected to field first. Afghanistan posted a commanding 200/4 in 20 overs, their highest total in this edition of the T20 World Cup.
Afghanistan Innings Highlights
- Opener Ibrahim Zadran delivered a career-best and tournament-high knock of 95 off 56 balls*, smashing 7 fours and 5 sixes (strike rate 169.64). This was the highest individual score by an Afghan player in T20 World Cup history, surpassing Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 84 earlier in the tournament.
- Zadran survived an early dropped catch and punished the Canadian bowlers, especially the spinners, with aggressive strokeplay.
- Key partnerships: 47-run opening stand with Rahmanullah Gurbaz (30 off 20), and a crucial 95-run third-wicket partnership with Sediqullah Atal (44 off 32).
- Other contributions: Azmatullah Omarzai chipped in lower down.
- Canada’s bowlers: Jaskaran Singh took 3/52, but couldn’t contain the Afghan onslaught.
Canada Innings
- Chasing 201, Canada were bundled out for 118/8 in 20 overs.
- They struggled against Afghanistan’s spin-heavy attack, collapsing early.
- Top scorer: Harsh Thaker (30).
- Afghanistan’s bowlers dominated:
- Mohammad Nabi starred with career-best T20I figures of 4/7, dismantling the top and middle order (including key wickets of Yuvraj Samra and Thaker).
- Rashid Khan and others applied pressure, restricting boundaries and picking regular wickets.
- Canada never recovered from being 43/4 in the eighth over.
watch….Unbeaten India March On: Shivam Dube Named Player of the Match in 17-Run Triumph Over Netherlands
Ibrahim Zadran was named Player of the Match for his match-defining unbeaten 95 off 56 balls — his fluent, authoritative innings set up the big total and earned him praise for carrying the bat through and dedicating the award to departing coach Jonathan Trott.
This victory provided a morale boost for Afghanistan after earlier setbacks, highlighting their batting firepower and bowling depth. Brief scores: Afghanistan 200/4 (20 overs) beat Canada 118/8 (20 overs) by 82 runs.
