Canada vs New Zealand: Yuvraj Samra makes history with T20 World Cup century but New Zealand reach Super 8s
Yuvraj Samra produced a career-defining display to become the first player from an associate nation to score a T20 World Cup century and the youngest centurion in the tournament's history, yet his 110 was not enough as New Zealand cruised to victory and sealed a place in the Super 8 stage.
Samra's milestone innings — a lone bright spot for Canada
The teenager slammed 110 off 65 balls, including 11 fours and six sixes, to power Canada to 173 for 4 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. He reached his hundred off 58 deliveries, eclipsing the previous associate top score of 94 not out set at the last edition, and in doing so became the youngest-ever T20 World Cup centurion at 19 years and 141 days, surpassing the previous mark from 2014.
Samra's knock was built in partnership with captain Dilpreet Bajwa, the pair putting on a 116-run opening stand that anchored Canada's innings. The teenager, playing his 19th T20 international after debuting in March 2025, drew a standing ovation when he was eventually caught in the deep off Jacob Duffy, with Glenn Phillips taking the catch behind square.
After the dismissal Samra reflected on the moment: "I manifested this moment ever since we qualified for the World Cup. Every single day, I dreamed about scoring a hundred on this stage. To do it here, in my first appearance [in Chennai], and as the youngest player in this World Cup – it's truly a dream come true. " Canada’s captain added praise, noting it was a proud moment for his team.
New Zealand chase with authority to reach the Super 8s
Despite the landmark by Samra, New Zealand’s batting depth proved decisive. The visitors reached 176 for 2 in 15. 2 overs, with an unbeaten 146-run partnership for the third wicket between Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra turning a precarious 30 for 2 into a comfortable chase. Phillips finished unbeaten on 76 from 36 balls while Ravindra contributed a calm 59 not out off 39 deliveries.
New Zealand had an early scare when openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen fell in quick succession, but the twin-figure deficit was erased emphatically by Phillips and Ravindra. The pair mixed boundaries and clever rotation to finish the match with 29 balls to spare, ensuring New Zealand advance to the Super 8 phase and ending Canada's run in the tournament.
On the bowling front, New Zealand's seamers shared the wickets, with Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Jimmy Neesham and Jacob Duffy each claiming one scalp, while Canada's bowlers were unable to press home the early breakthroughs.
Implications for the tournament and Canada
The result confirmed New Zealand's progress and eliminated Canada from the competition, alongside two other teams that exited earlier in the group. For New Zealand, the comprehensive chase will be read as a statement of intent heading into the Super 8s; their top order and middle-order have both shown the firepower to chase sizable totals under pressure.
For Canada, Samra's innings offers a significant silver lining. The century is a landmark for associate cricket and highlights the growing talent in emerging nations. Still, the team will rue its inability to back that batting heroics with sustained bowling pressure at key moments. The experience gained and the attention his century brings may prove valuable for the program going forward.
In short, a historic personal feat for Samra could not change the broader outcome: New Zealand advance, and Canada's T20 World Cup journey ends with a performance that mixed individual brilliance with team shortcomings.
