Quick results: New Zealand (176/2 in 15.1 overs) beat Canada (173/4 in 20 overs) by 8 wickets in Chennai in a Group D match.
New Zealand vs Canada, FIFA World Cup T20: Highlights|Scorecard
New Zealand booked their place in the Super 8s of the FIFA T20 World Cup with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Canada in Chennai on Monday 17 February. The Black Caps, rattled by an early loss to South Africa, responded with the kind of ruthless chase that reminded everyone why they are always dangerous in tournament cricket.
But the night did not start with New Zealand’s qualification celebrations. It started with a teenager stealing the stage.
Canada’s 19-year-old opener Yuvraj Samra made a breathtaking century at Chepauk, lighting up the stadium and giving Canada a moment that seemed bigger than just a run on the scoreboard. For a while it really looked like New Zealand were being drawn into a nasty contest.
There were reasons for the restlessness. In New Zealand, regular captain Mitchell Santner was absent, Daryl Mitchell came on. They were also missing Lockie Ferguson, their all-round pacer, who had flown home on paternity leave. Their bowling looked toothless for long stretches and Samra made sure the absence was felt.
Canada’s 173 suddenly looked like a tricky total on a surface where timing isn’t always easy.
And somewhere in the background, Afghanistan was watching closely.
This match was their last thread. Canada, who pulled off a miracle, could keep the Super 8 race alive. Instead, Phillips and Ravindra slammed the door and sent New Zealand in and Afghanistan out.
SAMRA CENTURY, PURE CHAOS
Yuvraj Samra did not play as a debutant. He played like someone who belongs.
The 19-year-old became the youngest player to score a century in the history of the Men’s T20 World Cup when he reached the landmark in 58 balls with a fearless stroke play against the experienced New Zealand attack.
He brought up his fifty in 36 deliveries, then completely shifted gears, taking the seamers and refusing to let the bowlers settle. Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy were all put under pressure as Samra found gaps and loosened the ropes.
He also had strong support from captain Dilpreet Bajwa and their 116-run opening stand gave Canada the kind of start they could only dream of in a match like this.
Samra’s innings powered Canada to 173 and for a brief moment the upset script seemed to be writing itself.
PHILLIPS, RAVINDRA ENDING THE AFGHANISTAN DREAM
The New Zealand chase started with a glimmer of hope for Canada when Tim Seifert fell early for just 6.
That hope did not last.
Glen Phillips and Rachin Ravindra walked in and turned the chase into a demolition. Their 146-run partnership was a knockout blow, mixing clean hits with calm control. Ravindra’s fluidity kept the chase flowing while Phillips brought the power to make the target look ridiculously small.
New Zealand completed 174 runs in just 15.1 overs to secure the final spot in the Super 8 from Group D along with South Africa.
And that was the end of the Afghan tournament.
Afghanistan briefly revived their campaign with a win over the United Arab Emirates, but losses to South Africa and now New Zealand proved decisive. They will finish the group stage with just two points and go out earlier than expected, despite entering the tournament with a lot of buzz after their strong run in 2024.
New Zealand, meanwhile, march six points back to where they always seem to be when tournaments reach the business end.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
February 17, 2026