Despite an early exit from the tournament, Afghanistan concluded their T20 World Cup campaign on a high note, securing back-to-back victories to restore national pride. Following a five-wicket win over the United Arab Emirates, the Afghans dominated Canada in Chennai today, cruising to a comprehensive 82-run triumph.
The match was a historic occasion for Afghan cricket, as the team breached the 200-run barrier for the first time in T20 World Cup history. After being put into bat, Afghanistan displayed aggressive intent from the outset, eventually finishing their innings on a formidable total of 200.
Ibrahim Zadran’s Masterclass
The cornerstone of this record-breaking total was a sublime performance by opener Ibrahim Zadran. Falling just short of a century, Zadran remained unbeaten on 95 off just 56 deliveries. This innings now stands as the highest individual score by an Afghan batsman in the history of the T20 World Cup.
His opening partner, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, provided a brisk start with 30 runs, while Sediqullah Atal anchored the middle order with a vital 44 off 32 balls. The collective effort ensured that Canada faced a mountainous chase under the Chennai lights.
A Substandard Chase
Canada’s pursuit of 201 was plagued by inconsistency and a relentless Afghan bowling attack. The North American side was never truly in contention, collapsing to 48 for 5 within the first nine overs.
Yuvraj Samra, who had scored a century in Canada’s previous outing, failed to replicate his heroics, falling for a meagre 17. While Harsh Thaker offered some resistance with a top score of 30, the rest of the line-up struggled to cope with the spin-heavy Afghan arsenal.
Match Summary: Afghanistan vs Canada
| Category | Afghanistan | Canada |
| Total Score | 200/3 (20 Overs) | 118/8 (20 Overs) |
| Top Scorer | Ibrahim Zadran (95*) | Harsh Thaker (30) |
| Best Bowler | Mohammad Nabi (4/7) | Kaleem Sana (1/32) |
| Result | Afghanistan won by 82 runs | — |
Record-Breaking Figures for Nabi
The veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi produced the finest bowling figures of his illustrious T20 career. In a masterclass of restricted spin bowling, Nabi conceded a mere 7 runs in his 4-over quota while claiming 4 crucial wickets. He was ably supported by captain Rashid Khan, who claimed 2 for 19, effectively dismantling the Canadian middle order.
Although Afghanistan returns home before the knockout stages, these consecutive wins provide a stable foundation and significant momentum as the team looks forward to future international assignments.