Afghanistan Vs Canada: Zadran's 95* Powers Clinical 82-Run Victory in Chennai
Afghanistan Vs Canada delivered a one-sided finish on Thursday (ET) as Afghanistan closed their ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with an emphatic 82-run win in Chennai, powered by an unbeaten 95 from opener Ibrahim Zadran.
Afghanistan Vs Canada — Zadran leads the charge
Put into bat, Afghanistan recovered from a shaky powerplay to build a commanding total. The openers began brightly with a 47-run platform before Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell for 30 and Afghanistan found themselves 49/2 inside the powerplay. Ibrahim Zadran then settled the innings, carrying his bat to an unbeaten 95 off 56 balls — his personal best in the tournament and the highest score by an Afghan this edition.
Zadran’s patient, well-paced knock featured seven fours and five sixes and a pivotal 95-run partnership with Sediqullah Atal, who contributed 44. That stand allowed Afghanistan to accelerate late and set a target that proved far too steep for Canada.
Spin and composure finish the job
Chasing, Canada began positively: Yuvraj Samra, fresh from a previous century, struck the first ball of the chase for four, and skipper Dilpreet Bajwa looked intent on keeping momentum with a couple of early sixes. But Afghanistan’s spin contingent, led by veteran Mohammad Nabi, swung the game back. Nabi made an immediate impact by removing Samra for 17 and continued to apply pressure, finishing with four wickets as Canada’s middle order repeatedly failed to build sustained partnerships.
Wickets tumbled at regular intervals. Navneet Dhaliwal departed cheaply in what was his final international innings, and Nicholas Kirton was also dismissed after a brief stay. Jaskarandeep Singh was the best performer with the ball for Canada, ending with 3/52, but the effort could not stem the tide. By 18. 1 overs Canada were 105/8 and the remaining overs produced little resistance as Afghanistan closed out the match by 82 runs.
Campaign context and a winning farewell
The victory ensured Afghanistan signed off the group stage on a decidedly positive note. Ibrahim Zadran’s back-to-back half-centuries underscored an uptick in form for the Afghan top order, while the all-round bowling display — notably Nabi’s four wickets — highlighted the team’s balance in Chennai.
The match also served as an emotional closing chapter for a departing figure in Canada’s setup, with the visiting side unable to convert early intent into a sustained chase. Afghanistan’s clinical performance offered a fitting winning farewell in front of the Chennai crowd.
Key statistical highlights: Afghanistan won by 82 runs; Zadran 95* off 56 (seven fours, five sixes); Sediqullah Atal 44; Gurbaz 30; Jaskarandeep Singh 3/52; Mohammad Nabi four wickets; Canada 105/8 at 18. 1 overs. The result provided Afghanistan with momentum and a morale-boosting finish as the tournament moves on.
