T20 World Cup: canada vs new zealand — Samra century not enough as New Zealand reach Super 8s
Yuvraj Samra produced a historic century for Canada but New Zealand chased down 174 with ease to secure their place in the Super 8s and eliminate Canada from the tournament. The teenager's 110 propelled Canada to 173 for 4, but a brutal partnership between Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra finished the job with time to spare.
Samra's landmark century lights up Chennai
Teenager Yuvraj Samra stamped himself onto the global stage with a spectacular 110 off 65 balls at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The innings featured 11 fours and six sixes and included a 58-ball hundred that set a new benchmark for players from associate nations in the T20 World Cup.
At 19 years and 141 days, Samra also became the youngest-ever centurion in T20 World Cup history. He celebrated the achievement to a standing ovation after being caught by Glenn Phillips off Jacob Duffy in the deep, leaving the crowd and teammates to applaud a milestone for Canadian cricket.
"I manifested this moment ever since we qualified for the World Cup. Every single day, I dreamed about scoring a hundred on this stage, " Samra said after the match. He revealed personal pride in the innings and referenced the inspiration behind his name. Canada captain Dilpreet Bajwa praised the opener's contribution and the century's significance for the team: "Hats off to Yuvraj, he finished with a hundred in this match and it's a proud moment for him and all Canadians. "
Canada's innings was anchored by a 116-run opening stand between Samra and Bajwa, and seamers Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Jimmy Neesham and Jacob Duffy shared the wickets for New Zealand. Duffy finished with figures that included the scalp of Samra, but the damage had already been done by the young Canadian.
New Zealand response: clinical chase and Super 8 confirmation
New Zealand's chase began shakily, losing openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen inside the powerplay to slip to 30 for 2. The early hiccups did not last. An unbeaten 146-run partnership between Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips took control and sealed the win with 29 balls remaining.
Phillips struck a brutal 76 not out off 36 deliveries while Ravindra remained unbeaten on 59 off 39, leaving New Zealand comfortable at 176 for 2 in 15. 2 overs. The pair's aggression and intelligent rotation of strike removed any lingering tension and ensured the Black Caps would progress to the Super 8 phase.
The chase highlighted New Zealand's depth and adaptability. After early setbacks, the middle order combined power and precision to overhaul a competitive total posted by Canada. The victory also sent a clear message to the rest of the group about New Zealand's intent in the tournament.
Implications and what comes next
Despite Samra's historic knock, Canada exit the T20 World Cup after this defeat, joining two other teams eliminated from the group. For New Zealand, the win secures progression and offers momentum heading into the Super 8s, where they will look to build on the form displayed by Ravindra and Phillips.
Samra's century will remain a defining image of the tournament regardless of his team's fate — a breakthrough moment for associate cricket and a reminder of the talent emerging from non-Test nations. For New Zealand, it was a timely display of composure under pressure and a successful chase that underlined their status as contenders as the tournament moves into its next phase.
