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- AFG vs CAN Live Score, T20 World Cup 2026: Afghanistan beat Canada by 82 runs
AFG vs CAN Live Score, T20 World Cup 2026: Afghanistan beat Canada by 82 runs
Zadran hit seven fours and five sixes in his 56-ball knock to steer Afghanistan to 200-4 after being invited to bat first in Chennai.
Afghanistan bowlers led by veteran spinner Mohammad Nabi, with his T20 best figures of 4-7, kept Canada down to 118-8 for their second win in the 20-team tournament.
2024 semi-finalists Afghanistan failed to reach the Super Eights stage after New Zealand secured the other qualification spot from Group D, which was topped by South Africa.
"We were well prepared for this competition, we were very close," said Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan.
"The game against South Africa (lost in a double super over) put us on the back foot and that hurt us."
The Afghans put up a dominant show in their last group match with Zadran leading the batting with his half-century and a 95-run third-wicket stand with Sediqullah Atal, who made 44.
It was the last match for former England batter Jonathan Trott as coach of Afghanistan after he took over the job in July 2022.
Canada were never in the chase and ended the tournament without a win in four matches.
Kaleem Sana to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Off the mark with a brisk two! Good-length delivery on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz steps out to negate any sort of movement and taps it across into the big gap at mid-wicket and picks up a couple of runs.
Let the game begin! The national anthems have been sung and we are ready for the contest to begin. The Canadians get into a huddle, but before dispersing, mark a guard of honour for their legend, Navneet Dhaliwal. He is playing his final game tonight and they will want to make it memorable for him. Now, they disperse and behind them, walk the Afghan openers - Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. The pace of Kaleem Sana will get us underway for the evening. Gurbaz to face. Here we go!
National anthems - The match officials and the two teams spread out to the middle. It is time when the entire ground stands as one in respect for the national anthems of the two teams. It will be Canada's first, followed by that of the Afghans.
PITCH REPORT - The voice of New Zealand cricket, Ian Smith, comes up first. Says that before the start of the tournament, this surface was relaid and everyone was nervous about how it was going to play. However, a few games later, Smith lauds the groundstaff and the curator for dishing out a wonderful set of pitches, despite having multiple games played on those. Regarding the conditions, Ian informs that a very pleasant breeze is blowing across the ground. Adds that the ground dimensions are 76 metres down the ground, while towards the sides, it is 70 and 63. Another Kiwi legend, maybe ranked second in the list of the best commentators from Kiwiland, Danny Morrison, has a look at the deck. Smith informs that this is the same deck where New Zealand played Canada. To that, Morrison adds that it was a day game. Goes onto say that it is very different now, because the sun has set. Further says that there is a really good sea breeze in here and hence, wonders whether dew will be a factor tonight. Doesn't speak anything about the deck, but adds that pace off or pace on, the ball will go miles if you don't get it right. Let's presume then, that another high-scoring deck is on offer.
We let our nation down - The captain of Afghanistan, RASHID KHAN, says that this is not the kind of end they wanted in this competition. Adds that they wanted to be in the Super 8 and then, in the Super 4 (semis). Feels that his players have the ability and the skill. Talking about the heartbreak against South Africa, Khan thinks that his players didn't play their best cricket and let the nation down. However, ends by saying that the team would like to end the tournament on a high and return the love and respect of all their fans.
Sad day for Canada - The skipper of Canada, DILPREET BAJWA, says that Canada played the last game here and there, he didn't see the pitch change much across innings. Adds that there was dew in that match. Alan Wilkins asks him his take from the New Zealand match, to which, Bajwa replies saying that his side probably got a bit more excited and developed goosebumps. Hence, he wants his players to control their emotions and play well till the end. On the team news, Dilpreet informs that Navneet Dhaliwal and Ravinderpal Singh are playing their final games for Canada. Cheekily adds that he was informed only this morning! Calls it a sad day for Canada, adding that one is a run machine and the other is an energy machine, but adds that it gives a massive opportunity for the youngsters to take some inspiration and step into their shoes.
Canada (Playing XI) - Yuvraj Samra, Dilpreet Bajwa (C), Navneet Dhaliwal, Harsh Thaker, Nicholas Kirton, Shreyas Movva (WK), Saad Bin Zafar, Dilon Heyliger, Jaskarandeep Singh, Kaleem Sana (IN FOR SHIVAM SHARMA) and Ansh Patel.
Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (C), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ziaur Rahman and Abdullah Ahmadzai (IN FOR NOOR AHMAD).
Managing these variations has been part of the team’s broader challenge. Control in day matches and the ability to apply pressure through middle overs remain areas of tactical attention. The side has at times relied on individual spells rather than sustained bowling partnerships. This final contest offers a setting to refine combinations and test fielding structures around spin. Bowling discipline, length consistency, and wicket-taking intent will shape whether the attack can close the tournament with a more complete performance than earlier group matches allowed.
Individual contributions have come at different moments, including a rapid 84 in a major contest and a separate half-century against another opponent. Yet the absence of sustained partnerships has limited overall totals and reduced scoreboard pressure.
This final fixture provides an opportunity to reset the approach and build momentum through structured innings.
Team management will be watching how the top order manages powerplay tempo and transitions into the middle overs. Coordination between intent and shot selection has been a recurring theme. If these batters align their efforts, the side could produce the kind of innings that had been expected earlier in the tournament but did not fully materialise.
His innings in Chennai drew wide attention and highlighted the talent developing outside the traditional centres of international cricket. Canada’s campaign has featured flashes of strong batting, often built around youthful energy and instinctive stroke play.
The team now seeks to translate promise into a complete performance. Partnerships at the top remain central, especially after a century stand in the previous match raised expectations. However, consistency with the ball has been harder to achieve, and breakthroughs at key stages have proved elusive.
This final outing offers another chance to test combinations and reinforce belief in emerging players. A decisive display could help underline the progress made and provide direction for the team’s next phase of development.
His leadership has remained central through the tournament, both with the ball and in setting the tone on the field. The team has shown the ability to challenge strong opponents but has struggled to convert key moments into victories.
Tactical use of spin, field placement, and middle-overs control have all been areas of focus. With elimination confirmed, this match becomes a platform to reassert rhythm and clarity in roles. The captain has not been informed of any immediate retirements in the squad, but discussion around transitions continues in the background.
A composed performance here could help stabilise the group before future assignments. The emphasis remains on execution, discipline, and finishing the competition with a result that reflects the team’s competitive intent.
One pushed a top contender to two Super Overs before losing narrowly, while the other made headlines through a record-breaking century by a teenage opener. This contest now offers a chance to close campaigns with a result that reflects effort shown across the group stage.
Selection decisions, batting partnerships, and bowling execution remain key talking points. Players will also be aware that performances here can shape future roles as teams look ahead to the next cycle. Expect intent from the start as both sides aim to finish their campaigns with a win and leave a clear impression before departing the tournament.
Zadran hit seven fours and five sixes in his 56-ball knock to steer Afghanistan to 200-4 after being invited to bat first in Chennai.
Afghanistan bowlers led by veteran spinner Mohammad Nabi, with his T20 best figures of 4-7, kept Canada down to 118-8 for their second win in the 20-team tournament.
2024 semi-finalists Afghanistan failed to reach the Super Eights stage after New Zealand secured the other qualification spot from Group D, which was topped by South Africa.
"We were well prepared for this competition, we were very close," said Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan.
"The game against South Africa (lost in a double super over) put us on the back foot and that hurt us."
The Afghans put up a dominant show in their last group match with Zadran leading the batting with his half-century and a 95-run third-wicket stand with Sediqullah Atal, who made 44.
It was the last match for former England batter Jonathan Trott as coach of Afghanistan after he took over the job in July 2022.
Canada were never in the chase and ended the tournament without a win in four matches.
Match Statistics
Venue
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
