In the New Zealand vs Canada T20 World Cup 2026 Group D clash in Chennai, a 19-year-old from Canada wrote cricket history — and still ended up on the losing side. Yuvraj Samra’s 110 off 65 balls was the first century ever scored by an Associate nation batter in men’s T20 World Cup history. At 19 years and 141 days, he also became the youngest player to reach fifty in a men’s T20 World Cup match. It was a knock of rare brilliance — and it wasn’t enough.
Glenn Phillips (76* off 36) and Rachin Ravindra (59* off 39) dismantled Canada’s bowling with a 146-run unbroken partnership to seal New Zealand’s Super 8 qualification with 29 balls remaining. The Black Caps coasted home at 176/2 in 15.1 overs, winning by 8 wickets. With this result, Afghanistan, UAE, and Canada are all eliminated from the tournament.
Match Summary: Phillips’ Fireworks Extinguish Afghan Hopes
ICC T20 World Cup 2026 - Match 31 - New Zealand vs Canada
New Zealand’s 8-wicket victory was a masterclass in high-pressure chasing. After Canada won the toss and elected to bat, teenage star Yuvraj Samra blazed a historic 110, lifting Canada to a challenging 173/4. Afghanistan fans, watching closely, were hopeful of a Canadian upset that would keep their semi-finalist heroes alive. However, after losing their openers early, New Zealand’s middle order took control. Glenn Phillips smashed the fastest-ever T20 World Cup fifty by a New Zealander (22 balls), while Rachin Ravindra anchored the chase. Their partnership dismantled the Canadian bowling attack, reaching the target in just 15.1 overs and confirming Afghanistan’s exit from the tournament.
Playing XI
New Zealand
Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (WK), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell (C), Michael Bracewell, James Neesham, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy.
Canada
Dilpreet Bajwa (C), Yuvraj Samra, Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Shreyas Movva (WK), Harsh Thaker, Saad Bin Zafar, Jaskaran Singh, Dilon Heyliger, Shivam Sharma, Ansh Patel.
Key Stats & Records From Today's Match:
Youngest Ever: Yuvraj Samra (19y) is the youngest player to score a T20 World Cup century.
Kiwi Record: Glenn Phillips scored the fastest-ever T20 World Cup fifty for New Zealand (22 balls).
Associate Power: Samra and Bajwa’s 116-run stand is the highest opening partnership by an Associate nation against a Full Member in the tournament.
Unbeaten Stand: The 146* run partnership between Phillips and Ravindra is the highest for the 3rd wicket in New Zealand’s T20 World Cup history.
Innings Breakdown
New Zealand vs Canada T20 World Cup 2026: Canada's First Innings
The first half of the New Zealand vs Canada T20 World Cup 2026 match was a one-man show. 19-year-old Yuvraj Samra played an innings of a lifetime, becoming the youngest centurion in T20 World Cup history. Alongside skipper Dilpreet Bajwa (36), he put on 116 for the first wicket—the highest Associate opening stand against a Full Member in T20 World Cup history. Samra’s 110 off 65 balls included audacious switch-hits and straight drives that left the Kiwi bowlers stunned. However, Canada’s inability to accelerate in the final five overs meant they finished at 173/4, a score that looked 20 runs short by the end of the day.
New Zealand vs Canada T20 World Cup 2026: The Chase
New Zealand’s chase began shakily as Dilon Heyliger and Saad Bin Zafar removed Finn Allen and Tim Seifert within the first four overs. At 30/2, Canada sensed a miracle. But *Glenn Phillips (76)* and *Rachin Ravindra (59)* had other plans. Phillips played with a “see-ball, hit-ball” mentality, reaching his fifty in a record 22 balls. Ravindra played the perfect supporting act, rotating strike and punishing loose deliveries. Their 146-run partnership was a ruthless display of batting, as they romped home in 15.1 overs, leaving Canadian bowlers toothless and Afghan fans heartbroken.
The “Phantom” Santner Factor: New Zealand won this crucial qualifier without their regular captain Mitchell Santner, who was sidelined with a stomach bug just hours before the toss. Daryl Mitchell took the reins, and his tactical move to bring Glenn Phillips on for a solitary over during Samra’s peak proved to be the “quiet” game-changer. While Phillips went for 11 runs, he disrupted Samra’s rhythm, which eventually led to the 19-year-old holing out in the 20th over—saving New Zealand from a 190+ chase.
Top Performers
Glenn Phillips (76 off 36 balls) - Player of the Match
Phillips was destructive. His record-breaking fifty completely changed the momentum of the game. With 6 sixes and 4 fours, he didn’t just chase the target; he demolished it, ensuring there was no drama in the final overs.
Yuvraj Samra (110 off 65 balls) - The Teenage Phenomenon
Despite being on the losing side, Samra’s name will be etched in the history books. His century against a world-class Kiwi attack showed maturity far beyond his 19 years. He is clearly a star in the making for Associate cricket.
Rachin Ravindra (59 off 39 balls) - The Anchor
While Phillips provided the thunder, Ravindra was the lightning. His composed half-century ensured that New Zealand never panicked after the early wickets. His ability to handle spin on the Chennai track was the bedrock of the chase.
Key Moments & Turning Points: The "Bat-Stuck" Run Out
Samra’s Record Ton: Yuvraj Samra became the youngest player to score a T20 World Cup century, hitting 11 boundaries and 6 sixes. His 116-run opening stand with Dilpreet Bajwa (36) had New Zealand on the ropes.
The Death-Over Squeeze: Despite the great start, Canada only managed 23 runs in the final three overs as Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy utilized slower balls to perfection, keeping the target within reach for the Kiwis.
Phillips’ 13th Over Assault: Needing to boost their NRR and kill the game, Glenn Phillips launched an assault in the 13th over, hitting two massive sixes. This 16-run over broke Canada’s spirit and simplified the equation to a run-a-ball.
What This Result Means for Group D - Kiwis Progress to Super-8 and Afghanistan Eliminated from T20 World Cup 2026
The result is final: Afghanistan has been eliminated from the T20 World Cup 2026. Rashid Khan’s side needed Canada to pull off an upset victory to keep the race for the second spot in Group D open. With New Zealand reaching 6 points, they have secured the second and final qualification spot alongside South Africa. Afghanistan’s final group game against Canada on February 19 is now a dead rubber, serving only as an opportunity for the 2024 semi-finalists to finish their campaign on a high note.
T20 World Cup 2026 Group D Points Table
Group D Points Table
What's Next for New Zealand After Super 8 Qualification?
New Zealand head into the Super 8s on the back of three wins from four group matches, with one concerning footnote: their bowling, without Santner and Ferguson, was exposed by Canada’s openers. Ravindra had managed just 13 runs across his first three innings before today, so his unbeaten 59 will provide a significant confidence boost heading into the knockout stages.
Ferguson is expected to return for the Super 8s. Santner’s availability remains subject to his recovery. If both are fit for Colombo, New Zealand are genuine Super 8 contenders. If not, questions about the bowling attack’s depth will follow them into the next stage.
The Black Caps will now wait on final Group A results to learn their Super 8 opponents. For now, though, mission accomplished in Chennai.
Match Highlights
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