Afghanistan vs Canada ICC MT20 WC, 2026, Full Score Card

CANADA OVERTURN AN LBW DECISION! These two teams have to be playing each other in backyard cricket. Haven't seen such sportsmanship in international cricket. Everyone is smiling. Bowler, batter, keeper and even the umpire. Full and straight, almost a yorker, around off and middle, Jaskarandeep Singh looked to clear his front leg out of the way and swing the ball over the leg side. But he was beaten for pace this time, as the ball was quick. It thumped into his front pad and the bowler appealed for LBW. Up went the umpire's finger in a flash. Now, the batter immediately took the review and immediately, the bowler burst out laughing, also shaking hands and embracing the batter. However, on the review, the Ball Tracking showed the ball to be missing leg stump! Great scenes all around. AFGHANISTAN WIN BY 82 RUNS!

Pace off again, this time on a fuller length. On leg stump, angling down, Singh is early into his swing and nearly goes through with the shot, but at the last moment, manages to stab it down the deck.

Pace off, short in length outside off, Jaskarandeep Singh looks to cut but is early into his shot and misses.

A run out chance, missed! Slower one, fuller on the pads, Patel works it to short mid-wicket and sets off for the single. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses.

Oh, that's right on the money from Rahman. A straight yorker, lands it right on the popping crease around middle stump, Ansh Patel does well to dig it out towards cover.

Just back of a length, over off and middle, Patel camps back and just nudges it down to point.

Final over of the contest. Ziaur Rahman to bowl. 2-0-23-0 so far.

Almost a yorker, following the batter down the leg side, Singh looks to swing hard but misses. The ball goes beneath his legs through to the keeper.

SIX! SPANKED! And that is why Jaskarandeep Singh refused the single on the previous ball. On a length, around off, Jaskarandeep Singh gets deep in his crease and swings it powerfully over mid-wicket. The ball travels flat but crosses the ropes.

Around off, swung down towards long on and this is interesting. Number 9 denies the strike to a number 10!

FOUR LEG BYES! Oh, unlucky for the bowler. Another yorker, tailing back into the legs. Jaskarandeep Singh gets the front leg out of the way and squeezes it past the keeper, into the fine leg fence. Hang on, Afghanistan have reviewed this one for LBW. There wasn't much of an appeal to begin with, but the third umpire is called in. Initial replays suggest that the ball missed the inside edge and came right off the pads. Ball Tracking shows that the ball actually pitched outside the line of leg stump. It stays Not Out and it will be leg byes instead of runs.

Another one from Ahmadzai, right around the toes. Jaskarandeep Singh fails to dig it out again and gets nutmegged as well.

A yorker aimed in at the toes, Jaskarandeep Singh gives the charge but fails to dig it out and the ball goes through to the keeper.

Back to pace. Abdullah Ahmadzai returns to bowl the 19th over. 2-0-16-0 so far.

Short, around middle, Singh gets down and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 2 runs and a wicket from the over and Jaskarandeep Singh goes across to congratulate Nabi for his outstanding bowling spell - 4-0-7-4! Excellent spirit of cricket. Also, these are the best bowling figures in a T20 World Cup for Nabi.

On middle and leg, holds on the surface, Jaskarandeep looks to flick, but gets a leading edge towards cover.

DROPPED! Rahmanullah Gurbaz, of all the people, has denied the President a fifer. And everyone is seeing the funny side of it, except Gurbaz. In fact, he is so furious that he has taken his helmet off and flung it onto the ground! Full, around middle and leg, Jaskarandeep Singh looked to play the slog sweep but was early into the shot. The ball came on slowly and took the top edge. Went straight up and behind the sticks. The keeper, Gurbaz charged back towards the ball, while short fine leg got across to his right for the catch as well. In the end, Gurbaz called for the catch and the short fine leg fielder backed off. However, despite getting to the ball, Gurbaz could not hang on!

Slightly short on middle, worked away from inside the crease and through backward square leg for a single.

Now, batting out becomes a serious challenge.

Flatter one on the pads, tapped across to mid-wicket.

OUT! CAUGHT! Oh dear... nearly a big collision but all's well that ends well. Mohammad Nabi stays around the wicket to the right-hander and floats it up on a nagging length on leg. Dilon Heyliger stays deep in the crease, looks for the slog but miscues it badly. The ball gets sliced up high towards backward point where Abdullah Ahmadzai seems to be settling under it. However, the keeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz calls for it and runs after it. Ahmadzai doesn't hear his call, or didn't want to hear it and snatches the catch just before Gurbaz can pouch it in his gloves. Gurbaz is down on the deck and Ahmadzai is looking perplexed at him. Nabi has his fourth and everyone else can see the funny side of Gurbaz's fall.

Full and around off, Jaskarandeep Singh lunges to defend. A wicket and 3 runs from the over, Rashid Khan finishes with bowling figures of 4-0-19-2.

19 balls left. 3 wickets in hand for Canada to try and play out their 20 overs. Jaskarandeep Singh walks in next, at number 9, replacing Saad Bin Zafar.

OUT! BOWLED! Simple as you like. Tossed up, outside off, Saad Bin Zafar looks to hit it through the off side but the ball lands and then spins back in viciously, to go past the bat and hit the timber. Second wicket for the champion and Zafar's fight ends. 101/5 becomes 105/7 in the span of 11 balls.

A short ball, outside off, Dilon Heyliger pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.

Fractionally short and straighter, turning back in. Saad Bin Zafar hangs back and jams the pull in front of square leg for one more.

Shorter in length and over middle, Heyliger rocks back and forces the flat-batted shot down to long on for a single.

Drags the length back and darts the googly into the pads, does Rashid. Dilon Heyliger fails to pull it away as the ball stays a touch low.

We will have a bowling change from this end as Mujeeb has bowled out. Rashid Khan to bowl out now. 3-0-16-1 so far.

GONE DOWN THE LEG SIDE? No, says the umpire. Review not taken. Down the leg side, Saad Bin Zafar looked to flick but missed. There was a noise as the ball went past the bat and the keeper celebrated with an appeal. Later on, smiled while talking to the batter. A run and a wicket from the over, Mohammad Nabi's bowling figures read 3-0-5-3 so far.

Shorter around off, Heyliger pulls it through mid-wicket for a single to get off the mark.

Tossed up, around middle, Dilon Heyliger comes down the track but is not to the pitch of the ball. Tries to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto the pads.

Good length around leg, Dilon Heyliger goes down to slog sweep but ends up wearing it on the body.

Pushed through quicker on middle and leg, Dilon Heyliger blocks it down the pitch.

A little bit of fightback shown. The 53-run stand gives some respectability to the Canadian total. Next aim - play out the 20 overs. Dilon Heyliger walks in next, at number 8, replacing Harsh Thaker.

OUT! CAUGHT! Mohammad Nabi is showing he's still got it, as he picks up his third wicket in this game. Nabi comes around the wicket and bowls it a bit round-armish, creating an angle from wide of the crease. This is floated up around leg stump and Harsh Thaker looks to sweep it away. The ball comes slower off the deck and the top edge is found. The ball lobs up behind short fine leg, where Mujeeb Ur Rahman back-pedals and reverse-cups it over his head. 100 more needed off 29 balls.

The match is dying a slow death. 100 runs in 30 balls does not sound even remotely possible. With how many ever wickets in hand. Mohammad Nabi returns. 2-0-4-2 so far.

Fuller, around off, drilled back past the bowler for a couple.

Outside off, punched towards long off for a run.

Short, outside off, Saad Bin Zafar goes back and punches it through the covers for a single.

Shortish length on leg, Thaker tucks it down to short fine leg for one.

Flatter one outside off, cut away behind point for a single.

FOUR! Gets it in the gap, does Saad Bin Zafar. Mujeeb drags it down over off and middle, Zafar goes deep in the crease and muscles it between long on and deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

DRINKS! Time for a breather and Canada are currently 91/5 after 14 overs. 110 runs needed off just 36 balls and the match seems to be going further away from them. However, Harsh Thaker and Saad Bin Zafar have done well to build a bit of a partnership here, finding the fence every now and then as well. They will now look to push as much as possible and have a bit of fun out there in the middle as well. With that said, Mujeeb Ur Rahman (3-0-13-1) returns to the attack.

Ahmadzai hits the length hard, bowling it on off, Zafar jams it out to mid off for a single.

Banged in short again, angled into the batter. Saad leans back to play the ramp but the ball sails over the willow.

FOUR! Somehow, Saad Bin Zafar has managed to get this one away to the fence. A slower bumper wide outside off, Saad Bin Zafar is early to back away but does well to reach out and manages to control it past the point fielder and it rolls away into the fence.

Dug in short and angled in from outside off, Saad Bin Zafar backs away to club it leg side but is beaten for pace and bounce.

Full and straight, Thaker jams it back into the turf and gets it back past the bowler for one more.

Shortish length on leg, whipped off the pads, not cleanly though and towards deep backward square leg for just a single.

Flatter delivery on the pads, worked away wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs by Thaker.

Quicker one on the pads, zips through, Saad tucks it down to backward square leg for one.

FOUR! Slightly short, turning away, Saad Bin Zafar rocks back and muscles the pull well in front of square for a boundary.

Nice and full, outside off, driven straight to extra cover.

A wrong'un now, tad fuller and rips past the off stump. Zafar fails to get any bat on it.

Another appeal for LBW, a meek one this time, turned down again. Oh, they have gone for the review. This one does't look much close but the third umpire will have a look. Shorter leg break, turning into the pads, sharply too. Saad Bin Zafar gets caught on the back foot and wears it on the pads. Ball Tracking quickly confirms that the ball is pitching outside the line of leg stump. NOT OUT and a review lost for Afghanistan.

An appeal for caught behind, turned down. Rahmanullah Gurbaz seems confident but doesn't get much support and Rashid Khan opts against the review. Fullish length around off, slides back in sharply. Harsh Thaker looks to cut close to the body but the ball whizzes past the outside edge.

FOUR! Oh, oopsie! Short and wide outside off, slapped away square through the off side. Abdullah Ahmadzai at deep point runs to his right and slides in to make a half stop but the ball rolls off his body and goes into the fence.

FOUR! Not where Thaker intended that to go. Short of a length, angled into the batter. Harsh Thaker looks to swivel and pull but ends up completely miscontrolling the shot. The ball gets spliced away over the keeper and rolls into the deep third fence.

WIDE. Slower bumper, in and around off, Thaker hops up to ramp it away but misses. Wide called for being too high.

Shortish length outside leg, Saad Bin Zafar pulls it off the inner half of the blade and through backward square leg for just a single.

Back of a length, around leg, cramping the batter for room. Saad Bin Zafar awkwardly fends it away back to the bowler. Zia is hitting the deck hard and extracting a bit of extra bounce as well.

Good-length delivery, drifting into the pads, Thaker clips it in front of square leg for a single.

Full and flat, from around the wicket, on off. Zafar leans on to block.

Dragged length around off, punched off the back foot to short extra cover.

Oh, sharp turn here. There's an appeal for LBW as well, turned down. Rashid Khan does review it though. Good length on middle, this one is bowled from the front of the hand. Saad Bin Zafar gets a big stride out but almost gets cut in half as the ball pings him on the front pad. The replays roll in and there's clearly no bat involved. However, Ball Tracking shows the wickets as 'umpire's call.' It stays Not Out.

SIX! Well struck! Full and on off, Saad Bin Zafar clears the front leg and swats it flat over long on for a biggie. Canada need plenty more of these.

Quick and flat on middle, Saad Bin Zafar lunges to defend.

Rashid lands this on a nagging length, around off and the ball darts away from the left-hander. Saad Bin Zafar is comprehensively beaten.

Halfway mark in the chase and Canada have a mountain to climb now. 141 more needed off 60 balls.

A well-directed bumper to end the over. Banged in short over off and middle, angles in, Harsh Thaker looks to pull but is well beaten.

Short of a length and over leg, Zafar nurdles it away wide of short fine leg and picks up a single.

Banged in short and wide, Thaker hops up and angles it down to deep third for a single.

SIX! Oh, that's high class from Thaker! Good-length delivery over middle, Thaker just holds his shape and launches it straight back over the bowler's head for a biggie.

FOUR! Carved away! Shorter this time and outside off, Harsh Thaker backs away a bit and wooshes it away over the backward point region for a boundary. 50 COMES UP FOR CANADA!

Back of a length and outside off, punched down to covers.

Canada have lost half their side now. Saad Bin Zafar walks in at number 7 now.

OUT! CAUGHT! That's a fine catch in the deep and this is a clever bit of bowling from Rashid Khan. Rashid delivers this one from behind the stumps, bowling it flat and full around middle. Shreyas Movva shovels the sweep flat and hard over square leg and Ziaur Rahman charges in from the deep, diving forward to take a fine catch.

Flighted, straighter in line, Shreyas Movva has to reach for it as he blocks it down the line.

Rashid tosses this one up outside off and Thaker throws his hands at it. Slices it uppishly and to the right of backward point for a single.

On the fuller side, straighter too, Movva leans on and strokes it down to long on for a run.

Flatter one, darted into the pads, tucked away through mid-wicket for a single.

Oh, how has that missed the stumps? Even the keeper is perplexed. Rashid starts with a googly, bowling it flatter and around off. Harsh Thaker looks to block down the line but the ball turns past the inside edge and goes a couple of inches over the middle stump.

No respite for Canada as Rashid Khan now brings himself into the attack. Rashid gets a rousing welcome from the Chepauk crowd.

A bit fuller on middle, Movva leans ahead to smother any spin and pushes it down to mid on.

Flatter this time, around off, punched out towards cover.

Nice and full, sliding into the pads, Thaker clips it through mid-wicket and turns the strike over.

Fuller and on the pads, Shreyas Movva gets an inside edge while flicking. The ball goes off the pads behind square leg for a single.

OUT! CAUGHT! You cannot keep Ibrahim Zadran out of the game. Mohammad Nabi bowls it a bit more round arm and around middle. Nicholas Kirton goes for the big heave but ends up mistiming it high and over the mid on region. Zadran comes in from the deep, settles under it and pouches it safely. A second wicket for 'Mr. President.' Canada are now 43/4, needing 158 more off just 76 balls.

Kirton will feel he's missed out here. Flatter one angled into middle, Nicholas Kirton lunges ahead to reverse sweep but gets an inside edge onto the front pad.

Short and wide outside off, Kirton slaps it through point for a single.

FOUR MORE! SMOKED! On a length, outside off, Kirton jumps down the track and hammers it through the covers. The fielder over there dives to his left but the ball goes through. 159 more needed from 79 balls.

FOUR! Gets it away. On a length, around leg and middle, angling away, Nicholas Kirton backs away and punches it through the covers for a boundary.

On middle and off, Kirton pushes it towards the bowler.

A quick short ball, outside off, Nicholas goes for the pull but the ball skids through and goes off the inside edge, onto his body and just over the stumps!

Here's a look at Abdullah Ahmadzai. On a length, outside off, skids through, Nicholas Kirton looks to punch it away but misses.

End of another sensational over. A wicket and 2 runs from it. On middle, Nicholas works it through square leg off the inside edge and gets off the mark with a single. CANADA END THEIR POWERPLAY ON 34/3!

Around middle and off again, eased towards cover once more.

On middle and leg, Kirton comes half forward to block.

Fuller, around middle and off, pushed towards cover.

DRINKS BREAK. What seemed like a promising start, is going all haywire now for Canada. They seem to be wanting to make the most of the Powerplay, but that over intent has cost them 3 wickets in the span of 19 balls. Afghanistan started off poorly with the ball, but have come back strongly. Time for a bit of a rebuild. Nicholas Kirton walks in next, at number 5, replacing Yuvraj Samra.

OUT! CAUGHT! Second wicket for spin. Canada seem to be imploding here. Landed outside off, Yuvraj Samra comes down the track and looks to swing it to the leg side. But he is not to the pitch of the ball and only suceeds in getting a leading edge which goes towards cover. Easy catch for Azmatullah Omarzai there. CANADA ARE 33/3 NOW. EQUATION - 168 RUNS, 88 BALLS.

Short, outside off, Harsh Thaker punches it through the covers for a single. Direct hit at the bowler's end might have been harsh for Thaker.

The President, Mohammad Nabi, will bowl the final over of the Powerplay.

RUN OUT CHANCE MISSED! Short, outside off, Harsh dragged the ball through square leg. He set off for the single but the fielder got to the ball quickly. When he was ready to throw, Harsh was halfway. Should have been an easy run out but the fielder returns a wild throw which goes well past the bowler towards long off.

On middle and leg, worked towards short mid-wicket.

On a length, around off, skids through, Harsh stays back to block.

Outside off, worked through mid-wicket but straight to the fielder.

Short, around middle, Samra goes for the pull but misses. The ball hits his front thigh and the Afghans appeal, but the umpire shakes his head. Possibly going down leg. The ball deflects past the off stump and the batters take a leg bye.

Fuller, outside off, pushed back to the bowler.

Decent pace, 140.3 kph, outside off, on a length, Harsh Thaker gets off the mark with a steer towards deep third for a single. A wicket and 5 runs from the over, 6 runs and 2 wickets in the last 2 overs.

Early jitters for Canada again. Harsh Thaker walks in next, at number 4, replacing Navneet Dhaliwal. A bit of a problem for Yuvraj Samra with his right palm and the physio is treating him. All in readiness now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Navneet Dhaliwal's final innings in international cricket ends pretty quickly. A knock which lasted just 5 balls and could not see any run being scored. A short ball, outside off, Dhaliwal rocks back and cuts it pretty hard. But he cannot keep it down and the ball goes straight to Darwish Rasooli at deep backward point, who takes it gracefully. Dhaliwal walks back but Rashid Khan runs upto him and pats him on the back. Great sportsmanship. The entire Canadian dugout stands up as one to applaud its champion. But the side is in deep trouble. 30/2 AFTER 3.5 OVERS. EQUATION - 171 RUNS, 97 BALLS!

Outside off, steered behind point for a single.

Full and wide outside off, Samra reaches out but cannot connect.

FOUR! Wonderful strike. Short, outside off, Yuvraj Samra leaps and cuts it over point for a boundary.

Outside off, punched towards cover.

Full and around middle and off, Navneet looked to flick but got a bit of a leading edge towards cover. Excellent comeback by Mujeeb after going for 11 in his opener. A wicket and just a run from his second.

Fuller, outside off, Dhaliwal drives it towards mid off.

Around off, pushed back again.

Full, around off, Navneet Dhaliwal comes forward and defends.

After a blistering start, Canada have been dealt the first blow. Navneet Dhaliwal, playing his final international match, walks in next, at number 3, replacing his skipper, Dilpreet Bajwa.

OUT! BOWLED! Not what Canada needed. The carrom ball, outside off, Dilpreet Bajwa goes back to cut but just does not pick the carrom ball. Misses it and the ball hits the leg stump. The quickfire opening stand is broken. CANADA ARE 25/1. EQUATION - 176 RUNS, 106 BALLS.

Full, around middle and off, Yuvraj Samra drills it straight, down to long on for a single.

SIX! That's good as the one on the off side earlier in the over. On a length, outside off, Dilpreet Bajwa comes down the track and nonchalantly flicks it over mid-wicket! 13 from the over and Canada need another 177 RUNS IN 108 BALLS!

YUVRAJ SAMRA ESCAPES A CLOSE CALL. That would have been a horrible way to get out. On a length, around off, Bajwa hit it straight back. The bowler tried to get across to his right and managed to deflect it to the stumps behind. As Samra tried to scamper back, the bowler appealed, indicating to his captain that he has his man. It was referred upstairs and the replay showed that the bowler did get a touch. However, the replay also showed that while the bat was in the air, and was plonked in, it landed in the crease just before the stumps were lit! NOT OUT flashes on the giant screen and Samra is relieved.

Third umpire time! Now then. Do we have a wicket here? Azmatullah Omarzai is confident and reckons that Yuvraj Samra might be run out here! It is referred upstairs. Oohh... touch and go. Has the bat just bounced in? Yes!

Full and straight, Dilpreet pushes it towards mid on.

A quicker bumper, outside off, angling in, Bajwa arches back and looks to play the upper cut but is beaten by pace.

SIX! Ho ho ho! Canada are up for this, alright! What a handsome stroke by the skipper. On a length, outside off, Dilpreet Bajwa stands tall, rises with the bounce and lofts it with grace over cover. However, so sweet is the timing that the ball flies over the ropes!

Full and down the leg side, Yuvraj Samra clips it behind square leg for a single. 189 more needed from 113 balls.

Good start by Canada but an uncharacteristically poor start by Mujeeb. Azmatullah Omarzai to share the new ball.

On middle, pushed down to long on for a single. 11 from the opening over!

FOUR! SMOKED! Another invitation for the batter. Short and wide outside off, Yuvraj Samra smacks the cut through the covers for the second boundary of the over!

Full, outside off, Dilpreet Bajwa punches it through the covers for a run.

Full, around off, Yuvraj drives this through mid on for a single.

On middle and leg, Samra looks to flick but plays all around it and is hit on the pads. A mild appeal for LBW goes unheeded. Missing leg comfortably.

FOUR! Good start to the chase. Short, outside off, Yuvraj Samra goes back and punches it through the covers for a boundary!

FOUR MORE! Full, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran reaches out and drills it through the covers! 79 runs in the last 6 overs and AFGHANISTAN FINISH ON EXACTLY 200, WITH 4 WICKETS DOWN!

FOUR! UP AND OVER! A short ball, wide outside off, Ibrahim stays back and throwing his bat at it, gets it over point for a boundary!

Quicker ball, a full toss, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran swings but misses the ball!

For all those kids who grew up in the 90s, we used to see an advert on TV, which said, 'Goes on and on and on'. This is something similar to that. Full and outside off, excellent change of pace, Darwish swings wildly but misses. The batters go for a bye and the keeper has a shy at the striker's end. Ibrahim is well in, but the ball deflects towards mid-wicket. So the batters go for the overthrow. Now, the fielder charges in from long on and fires a throw at the bowling end and hits the stumps there too! Guess what, even that deflects away to the sweeper at cover and the batters take the third! This time, there is no direct hit.

WIDE. Full and miles outside off, left alone.

Mistimed, but safe. A short ball, outside off, pace off, Darwish Rasooli jumps down the track and throws his bat at it. Is early and skews it off the top edge in the air. The ball lands in vacant space beyond cover and the batters return for a second.

On a length, outside off, drilled through the covers for a single.

Final over then. Afghanistan need 15 runs to reach the 200-mark. Ibrahim needs 14 for a century.

On a length, outside off, pace off, Zadran pulls it through mid-wicket for one. 10 from the over, 64 in the last 5!

SIX! My word. This guy is a real treat to watch. How has that gone all the way? Full and wide outside off, Ibrahim Zadran reaches out and uses all his wrists to carve it over cover. The ball goes flat but with full power to clear the ropes!

Another short ball, outside off, Rasooli pulls it through mid-wicket for one.

Excellent yorker, at the toes, Ibrahim Zadran manages to dig it out through square leg for a run.

A short ball, outside off, Darwish Rasooli pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.

11 balls left. Afghanistan need 25 more for the 200-mark. Darwish Rasooli walks in next, at number 6, replacing Azmatullah Omarzai.

OUT! CAUGHT! Another catch is taken. Azmat falls for an unlucky 13. A short ball, outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai goes for the pull and swings it pretty well. But the ball is at a good height and hence, he cannot find enough elevation. The ball goes flat towards long on and Harsh Thaker actually takes a smart catch near the ropes. A quickfire 31-run stand is broken.

Has Sana returned in time? He hobbled off the field after the 17th over. Don't think so. Dilon Heyliger will bowl the 19th over. 3-0-31-0 so far. The captain has a long chat with the umpire regarding something.

On a length, outside off, Zadran has a hack and the ball goes off the inner half of the bat through mid-wicket. Two more runs to the total. 15 from the over, 54 in the last 4!

Outside off, pushed through the covers for a run.

SIX! SMASH! Straight back down the ground! Full, outside off, Omarzai gets down on a knee and swings it cleanly over the bowler, for a biggie near the sightscreen!

On a length, outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai reaches out and slices it over point for a couple.

ANOTHER WIDE. Jaskaran goes fuller, but this is way too far outside off. Is left alone.

WIDE. A bumper outside off, too high and it is left alone.

A bit too straight, on the pads, Ibrahim Zadran flicks it behind square leg for a run.

On a good length, outside off, punched through the covers for a single.

Another one going off now. It is Kaleem Sana who is seen heading off the field. He still has an over left.

TOP EDGE, LANDS SAFELY! The rub of the green is going the way of the Blue. A short ball, around off, hurrying the batter for pace, Ibrahim goes for the pull. But he gets a top edge which goes in the air. However, it lands in no human's land outside the 30-yard circle at mid-wicket! Two runs taken. 14 from the over, 39 in the last 3!

On a length, outside off, Omarzai punches it through mid off for a run.

On middle and off, worked through mid-wicket for another brace.

A touch short, around middle and off, Zadran swivels and pulls it through mid-wicket for a couple.

TWO BYES. Keeper's fault. A slower ball, around middle and leg, Zadran swings early but misses. The ball goes past the stumps to the keeper, but he is not able to stop it to his left. It rolls behind and the batters take a couple.

SIX! The boundaries keep coming. Short, around middle, no pace to work with, Ibrahim Zadran pulls this magnificently over square leg. Moves to 70 (43).

Full, outside off, driven through the covers for a couple. As if he has carried his form from the last 2 years right into this match. Starts off in style. 15 runs from the over, but Jaskaran manages a wicket to get something off it.

So that's 4 catching opportunities, with 2 taken. An efficiency of 50 percent. Azmatullah Omarzai walks in next, at number 5, replacing Sediqullah Atal.

OUT! CAUGHT! Sigh of relief for the Canada fans. This catch is taken. A short ball, outside off, banging it into the middle of the deck, Sediqullah Atal goes for the pull but the ball holds on the pitch a touch. As a result, he gets it off the higher part of the bat. Does not have control and hence, does not have the distance. There is elevation though and the ball goes in the air. Dilon Heyliger gets across to his right from deep mid-wicket and takes the catch. Not the most fluent of knocks from Atal but his contribution will be well noted in a stand of 95. AFGHANISTAN ARE 144/3 AFTER 15.5 OVERS!

Full, around middle and leg, Sediqullah works it through mid on and charges back for the second.

SIX! STUPENDOUS! A short ball, outside off, Sediqullah Atal accepts the freebie on the Free Hit and pulls it over mid-wicket for an 85-metre hit! The stand moves to 93 (58), with Atal contributing 42 (30) of those!

Oh dear. The siren goes off and that means, the bowler has overstepped! NO BALL signalled. FREE HIT time!

A short ball, around off, SA goes for the pull, but the ball gets big on him. Goes off the top edge towards long on, but lands just outside the 30-yard circle. By the time long on can get to the ball, the batters return for the second.

On a length, outside off, punched straight to point for a run.

Short, around off, punched towards long off for a single.

What's happening outside? Navneet Dhaliwal, who is playing his final international game, is going off the field! Hope it's not anything serious and he comes back in time to finish the game properly. Jaskarandeep Singh, the only successful bowler tonight, returns. 1-0-10-2 so far.

Outside off, eased down to long on for one. 10 runs from the over, but could have been so different if not for that drop.

Full, outside off, Atal looks to play the reverse sweep but misses. The keeper puts in a shout for the catch but the umpire shakes his head.

Outside off, driven through the covers for a single.

Excellent googly now. Outside off, Zadran is early into his inside-out drive and misses. The keeper collects the ball and looks to take the bails off but Ibrahim is back in by then.

SIX! Rub salt, pepper, piri piri and whatever you want on that wound. Floated, outside off, Ibrahim leans and lofts this inside out over cover for a massive hit!

DROPPED! Oh dear. Second drop of the match. This time, by Kaleem Sana. Tossed up, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran gets down and looks to play the slog sweep. He connects well but this is the longer part of the ground and he seems to have got more height than distance. Sana gets across to his right from long on and gets to the ball but somehow, spills it down! The batters pick up a couple. Massive moment.

DRINKS BREAK. A decent platform has been laid by Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal. Their 72-run stand has put the team on course for a 190, and possibly even 200, if it flexes its muscles. Canada have not bowled too badly, but there has been nothing on the pitch to support them yet. Additionally, if the boundaries are not being scored, Afghanistan are ensuring that they don't allow too many dot balls. Out of 84 balls, only 24 balls have not resulted in any run being scored. That's under 30 percent.

First dot ball after 17 run-scoring deliveries. A short ball, down the leg side, SA misses out, pulling it straight to short fine leg.

Fuller, around middle and off, coming in, Sediqullah works it through mid-wicket. Once again, the call for two is made pretty early and despite the fielder charging in from the deep, the second is completed with ease.

Full, outside off, Ibrahim punches it past the left hand of the bowler down to long off for one. The stand moves to 70 (46).

On a length, outside off, 129.3 kph, Atal waits for the ball to arrive, opens the face of his bat and guides it towards Dilpreet Bajwa at point for a run.

On middle and leg, Sediqullah Atal clips it through mid-wicket with soft hands and charges back for the second.

Dilpreet Bajwa changes the pace now. Brings back Dilon Heyliger. 2-0-24-0 so far. On a length, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it through the covers for a single.

Outside off, punched through the covers for one more.

Another long hop, Atal goes back and drags the pull through square leg for another single.

On middle, a touch short, pulled towards long on for one.

Landed outside off, Sediqullah Atal waits for the ball to arrive and dabs it towards short third for a quick run.

33-BALL 50 FOR IBRAHIM ZADRAN! Back-to-back half centuries for the stylish batter. He continues to do well for his side. Maintains a decent strike rate, despite not playing cross-batted shots. A clean batter, giving absolutely joy to watch him play. Gets there with a punch through the covers for a run.

FOUR! All timing. A full toss, around leg stump, Ibrahim Zadran leans and flicks it through mid-wicket. There are two fielders running in opposite directions, to try and save the ball, but it goes right between them, meeting the ropes!

42 runs in the last 4 overs. Bajwa is forced to get his thinking cap on. Does not react as of now. Sticks with the same bowlers.

FOUR! Asking to be hit and Sediqullah Atal obliges. Dragged well short and drifted down leg, Sediqullah Atal hoicks it off the hips and dispatches it to the left of deep backward square leg for a boundary. 14 off the over.

On middle, Ibrahim Zadran works it through mid on for a run.

Did that carry? No, just short! Saad Bin Zafar slows it right up, drags the length back and throws it wide outside off. Sediqullah Atal goes after it again and charges down the pitch but toe ends the lofted shot over mid off. Jaskarandeep Singh runs in from the deep and dives forward but collects the ball on the half volley. Atal picks up a single as well.

SIX! BRILLIANT! Tossed up, outside off, from a bit wide of his crease, from over the wicket, Atal spots that and is ready. Jumps down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and swings it as clean as a whistle, straight back over the sightscreen! 50-RUN STAND IS UP, IN 33 BALLS!

Lobbed up, on a nagging length and outside off, this one skids on. Zadran backs away and slaps it through point for a run.

Short, outside off, 91.8 kph, Sediqullah Atal swings it away, but the ball goes off the inner half of the bat through square leg. A single taken.

Dragged length on off, Zadran rocks back and punches it away to extra cover.

FOUR! Outstanding batting. The googly, landed outside off, delivered with the seam upright, Ibrahim Zadran goes back, waits for the ball to arrive and uses the extra pace to guide it to the left of short third, for a boundary. Moves to 43 (28) and this stand is worth 42 (29).

Fuller one outside off, stroked away through mid off for a single.

Excellent piece of bowling again. Seems to be a carbon copy of Afghanistan's very own, Noor Ahmad. Hustles through with his action and it is tricky to understand what is a googly and what is the leg spin. This one is the wrong 'un and Sediqullah Atal looks to play the reverse sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. The bowler starts to go up in an appeal for LBW but realizes that the impact was outside off.

Oh, that's a very close call but it's gone in favour of the batter, again. Ansh Patel tosses this one up, fuller and around off. Gets the batter to go for the drive and gets the ball to turn away as well. Sediqullah Atal is beaten in flight and by the turn off the pitch as the ball moves past the outside edge. Shreyas Movva whips off the bails in a flash but replays show that just as the bails came off, at that exact moment Atal lands his back leg inside the crease. NOT OUT!

We go upstairs again! This time, it is for a stumping referral. The keeper seems very confident. Ahh... the foot seems to be in the air, but did it get down in time before the bails were dislodged? 'Grounded' says the TV umpire.

Outside off, short in length, Sediqullah Atal punches it through the covers for a single.

Halfway mark reached. At 86/2, it is hard to say right now who is on top. The overs post the Powerplay have yielded 37 runs. Spin has gone for 39 runs in 5 overs thus far. Here is another spinner, Ansh Patel.

Full and wide outside off, driven to the left of long off for a single.

Around off, a touch short, coming in, 96.1 kph, Sediqullah Atal punches it towards long on. He is probably thinking that this will be just a single but Ibrahim pushes him into the second, assuming that the throw will come at the bowling end. But the fielder at long on spots that Atal is very slow in turning for the second. Sends the throw to the keeper but Sediqullah just about puts on his skates at the right time to make it in.

NOT OUT! A bit of glove has saved Ibrahim Zadran here and Canada lose a review as well. The arm ball from Saad Bin Zafar, on a length and sliding back in from around off. Ibrahim Zadran attempts the reverse sweep but misses and the ball goes off the arm towards point. There is a huge appeal for LBW, but it is turned down and the batters cross for a run as well. It is reviewed but replays quickly confirm that the ball hit Zadran's glove. The on-field decision stands.

DRS time again! Once again, this looked close in real time. And once again, the umpire has not raised his finger. And yet again, Bajwa has taken it upstairs. But this time, his wish will not be granted. Review lost.

SIX! Didn't quite sound so sweet, but the ball has enough to clear the ropes. Fuller in length, outside off, angling away, Ibrahim Zadran gets down on a knee and attempts the massive slog sweep. He does not get to the pitch of the ball and gets it off the bottom part. Hence, there is not much elevation but the ball still flies past the ropes, beating deep mid-wicket to his left.

Bowled full and wide outside off, Atal takes a couple of steps ahead and hammers it to wide long off but just for a single.

Outside off, punched through the covers for a single.

Another quicker one at 102.2 kph, full and outside off. Zadran drills it to long off for a single.

FOUR! Second of this over. In his first 14 balls, Bajwa had not conceded a single boundary. Now, he has gone for 2 in the last 3. Full, around off, Ibrahim Zadran gets down and sweeps it powerfully through backward square leg, beating short fine leg to his left. Ibrahim moves to 30 (23).

Shorter on off, drifted in. This one grips and turns away. Atal presses back and taps it across in front of mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Punishment asked and meted. Short and outside off, Sediqullah Atal goes back, opens the face of his bat and cuts it to the right of short third for a boundary. and with that, the official boundary meter (boundary fours) ticks along the 4-figure mark, meaning that it is the 1000TH FOUR OF THE 2026 WORLD CUP!

High-arm action, lobbing it just outside the off stump. Atal leans on to defend.

Very full outside off, 111.2 kph, Ibrahim Zadran makes some room for himself, to the leg side and drives it through cover for a single.

Flat and full, on off, Sediqullah Atal just steps across and defends it into the on side. 9 runs off the over.

Excellent fielding. Short, outside off, Zadran cuts it through point, but skipper Dilpreet Bajwa dives to his right from backward point and makes a stunning stop. However, he cannot stop the single.

Quick and full, sliding it across the left-hander. Atal rocks back and snatches at it, playing it towards cover-point for one more.

Full and around middle and off, Ibrahim eases this down to long off for a single.

Good length, in and around off, patted back to the bowler.

SIX! Saad Bin Zafar has been given the ball now. Slow left-arm spin. And he is welcomed in style! Tossed up, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran leans into the shot and lofts it inside out over covers. The ball travels a decent 80 metres!

Zadran will feel he's gotten away with one here. Fuller delivery on off, an under-cutter from Bajwa. Zadran hags back to loft it away but times it so bad that the fielder running in from long off cannot get to it. The ball lands well short and a single is taken.

Full, outside off, Sediqullah Atal eases this through the covers for one.

That's athletic fielding! Very full and around off, fired in, Atal punches it on the up but Nicholas Kirton at short extra cover springs to his left and makes the stop.

Outside off, punched down to long off for a run.

Flighted ball on middle, drifting in, Sediqullah Atal edges it down through gully and picks up a single.

Full, around middle, Ibrahim Zadran works it through mid-wicket for a single.

So in the end, the Powerplay has gone in Canada's favour. 7 boundaries but 2 wickets in the last 4 balls. Sediqullah Atal walks in next, at number 4, replacing Gulbadin Naib.

OUT! LBW! Excellent review by Canada! Have to give it to the captain. This was on a length, outside off, coming in with the angle, and Gulbadin Naib looked to work it to the leg side. But he missed and was hit on the pads. The bowler screamed his lungs out for the LBW appeal but the umpire kept his finger down. Even before the bowler or keeper could look at the captain, Bajwa was charging right towards them, confident that this was gone. He just needed a second opinion and in a flash, signalled for the review. The moment Naib looked at the replay, a grin passed his face. He sensed it. Ball Tracking loaded up and projected the ball to be hitting leg stump! Canada are cock-a-hoop and from 47/0, AFGHANISTAN ARE 49/2! And that is their Powerplay score as well.

DRS time! That seemed very close in real time. Gulbadin missed a pretty straight ball, looking to flick and it seemed like it might have hit the stumps. But the umpire has given it not out and the Canadian captain looks supremely confident and takes the review. And, he is going to be rewarded for his gut feeling!

Shorter in length, very straight and a bit slower. Zadran hops up and defends it into the off side, picking up a single as well.

Off the mark rightaway! On the fuller legth and around middle, Naib leans on and pushes it to the left of mid on for a quick single.

DRINKS BREAK. It has actually been a decent bowling performance by Canada. Take out that 15-run 4th over and it has been a not-so-bad effort at all. Even that one dropped catch of Gurbaz has not hurt them much. Afghanistan though, would have got a knowledge of the surface and it appears as if, it might slow down as the game progresses, much similar to that USA-Netherlands game. Here comes the muscle man, Gulbadin Naib, at number 3, replacing Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

OUT! CAUGHT! The bowler has the last laugh. Gurbaz wanted more and more and jumped down the track. Did that a bit early and the bowler had just about enough time to see that. Bowled it short again, but this time, the line was around off and he made it to angle back in, cramping the batter for room. Gurbaz went for the pull but because he got cramped, the ball went off the leading edge. Two fielders went after it, one running back from point and the other, coming in from sweeper. In the end, the latter calls for it and it is Yuvraj Samra who takes the catch coolly. End of a blistering knock from Gurbaz, but once again, one feels that it promised a lot more. AFGHANISTAN ARE 47/1 AFTER 5.3 OVERS!

FOUR MORE! SLAUGHTERED! In a stand of 47, Gurbaz has hammered 30. Short and wide outside off again, this time, Gurbaz delays his shot a bit, waits for the ball to arrive and slaps it through the covers for consecutive boundaries.

EDGED, FOUR! It will go down as an edge but the line was not that great there. Short and wide outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz throws his bat at it but gets a thick outside edge, which flies possibly through where first slip would have been, to the deep third fence. The stand moves to 43 (31).

Signs of things to come? The first over of spin has yielded just 2 runs. What bowling type will finish off the Powerplay? It will be the pace of Jaskarandeep Singh. But he will have to wait. For another time in this day, the Zing bails act naughty. The umpire thinks about calling for a replacement but they start working suddenly. Let's continue then.

Nice and full, on leg, clipped away in front of square leg for a single. Just 2 runs off it.

Gets away with this one, does Bajwa. A full toss on middle, shapes away in the air as well and Gurbaz ends up just easing it down to extra cover.

That's well fielded. Fired into the blockhole by Bajwa, Ibrahim Zadran jams it off the inside edge and to the right of short fine leg. The fielder over there dives and keeps it down to a single.

Quick and flat, outside off, slapped away but straight to cover-point.

Full again, darted in at the stumps, Ibrahim Zadran squeezes it into the off side.

That's a cracking delivery. Bajwa sees Zadran advancing and fires it in at the toes. Zadran fails to get out of the shot and just gets yorked, wearing it on the pads.

The moment has come. After three quiet overs, Afghanistan have announced their intentions with a 15-run 4th over, the first double-digit one of the evening. The skipper takes on the onus now. Here's Dilpreet Bajwa with his off spin.

Heyliger pulls the length back and bowls it outside off, Zadran stays on his toes and guides it through backward point for one. 15 off the over, a big one for Afghanistan.

Better line and it induces an outside edge. Good-length delivery on the fourth stump line, slants in a bit. Gurbaz stays back and edges it down to short third for a quick single. Good running.

FOUR! SLAP! Third boundary in the over. This is short outside off and additionally, wide outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz accepts the gift and slams the cut through point.

In the channel and shapes away a bit, Zadran looks to drive but gets it off the inner half of the blade to mid on for a single.

FOUR MORE! Excellent batting. The bowler is shaking his head but it is actually credit to the batter, as he has outthought the bowler. After the wide line on the previous ball, Ibrahim is expecting a tighter line. So he steps away to the leg side in advance and gets a length ball, just outside off. It comes in with the angle but Zadran punches it through the covers for consecutive boundaries. The stand moves to 30 (20).

FOUR! Beautifully played. Full and wide outside off, Ibrahim Zadran initially shapes up to drive the ball through the covers, but at the last moment, opens the face of his bat to guide it aerially through third and there is no one present to stop it.

Nothing happening with the ball. No swing, no seam movement either.

Full again, not completely full though, on middle and angling across. Gurbaz walks inside the line and pushes it to the right of the bowler again.

Pitched up full on middle, Gurbaz shows the full face of the blade and blocks it to the right of the bowler.

FOUR! SLAM! Short and around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz stays leg side of the ball and slaps the cut through point. There is a fielder stationed at deep backward point and he starts to take a couple of steps. Even gets to his right, but the sheer power on the stroke takes the ball past his lunge, which eventually becomes a despairing dive. However, the dive is late.

Oh, that's a bit unfortunate for the fielder. Shortish length on leg, Gurbaz nudges it off the hips and down to short fine leg. The fielder over there moves to his right and gets his body behind the wobbling ball. The batters pinch a single but Gurbaz notices the ball parrying away from the fielder and sneaks in the second run as well.

Better line from Sana. Fuller than a good length, angled across off, Gurbaz has a poke at it but the ball zips past the outside edge.

WIDE. A bit of late movement. Good length spilled down leg, Gurbaz looks to tickle it away but misses and the ball shapes further down the leg side. Shreyas Movva dives to his left and makes half a stop.

Length again, on the pads, hacked away to deep square leg for another single by Zadran.

Good-length delivery, darted in towards middle and leg, Zadran tucks it to mid-wicket and pinches an easy single as the fielder is right on the edge of the circle.

Back of a length and outside off, tapped away down to deep third for a single.

That's well bowled. Heyliger sees Gurbaz backing away to the leg side and hammers it on a hard length wide outside off. Gurbaz leaves it in hope of a wide but won't get the call in his favour.

DROPPED! Big, big miss. Maybe, the wind could have been a factor. Fractionally short, around off, Gurbaz looks to play the pick-up pull, but the ball gets big on him and goes off the top edge. It goes straight up in the air and roughly, three fielders go after the ball. First, the keeper, then the man from short third. And to the far end of the screen, one is possibly seeing short fine leg as well. The keeper calls for it correctly, as he is the one with the gloves. But he ends up going sideways, trying to be on par with the swirling ball. Eventually, he finds himself away from the ball as it bursts through his gloves and drops down. Two runs taken.

FOUR! Not where he intended but everyone in the blue camp will take it. On a length, around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz comes down the track and looks to steer it behind point. However, he is too close to the ball and as a result, the ball goes off the outside edge and pretty fine through third. There is no one patrolling that area at deep third and the ball finds the fence.

Full-pitched delivery, just outside off, Gurbaz leans on and pushes it out to extra cover. A reserved start from Gurbaz thus far.

WIDE. A loosener to begin with from Heyliger. Short of a length and wide outside off, shapes further away. Gurbaz leaves it alone.

An uneventful opening over. Will we see spin early? Nope. The big man, Dilon Heyliger, will share the new ball. Ian Smith on air informs that he is from Guyana.

Thinking about two, will settle for the single. Slower one, full and around leg, Gurbaz waits and nudges it away behind square leg for a single. The fielder in the deep is quick to attack the ball and keeps the batters honest. Five runs off the first over.

Length again, on middle and leg, Zadran fails to work it away into the leg side. Gets it off the pads into the off side and after a stutter, the batters pick up a leg bye.

Beaten! Good-length delivery on off, cutting across with some extra bounce. Zadran looks to punch but is well beaten.

On a hard length over leg, Ibrahim Zadran looks to tuck it away but closes the bat face early and miscues it back onto the deck.

Swing, too much of it as well. Back of a length, lands on off and middle and goes a long way across the right-hander. Gurbaz backs away to slash but misses and the keeper just about gets a glove on it. The ball trickles down to deep third and the batters take a bye.

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).

TOSS - Time for the spin of the coin. The two captains are out in the middle - Rashid Khan and Dilpreet Bajwa. Rashid will flip, while Bajwa will call. Heads is the call and it is a Head. CANADA CHOOSE TO BOWL.

Wobbly, but through! Well, they cruised, For a major part. Then, they stuttered. Nearly gave it away on a platter. But eventually, Zimbabwe have managed to beat Sri Lanka for the third time in the last 5 T20Is and top Group B! After a fairly decent bowling performance restricted the hosts to 178/7, the Rhodesians put in a strong reply, with the openers adding 69 and then, skipper Sikandar Raza chipping in. However, with 12 runs needed from 11 balls, there was some late drama, with the 19th over bowled by Dushan Hemantha yielding 2 wickets in 4 balls. However, all's well that ends well as Brian Bennett stayed unbeaten till the end with a fine 63.

Zimbabwe topping Group B? Boy o boy. It is happening. It is real. If Zimbabwe beating Australia was by chance, if that is what thought a few, the Rhodesians have taken massive objection to that thought. In their final league game, they have kept Sri Lanka to 178/7 at the Premadasa, and themselves, need just 25 runs from 22 balls for consecutive wins against top-ranked Test-playing nations! Do check out the final moments of that clash in the matchcentre of that game, but do return quickly, because the toss and team news for this match would be found only here! 

Pitch expectations - Only one night game has been played at the Chepauk before in this edition, with USA earning a memorable win over the Netherlands. One usually expects a lot of dew in Chennai in the evenings, but on that night, because of a nice breeze, there was less dew and a lot of spin from the deck, with the surface getting slower as well, with the game progressing. It will be interesting to see what the captain looks at with more interest, before the toss - the conditions or the surface. If it does become spin to win, then the Afghans loom in as massive favourites, just because of their composition. However, should there be a placid track on offer, the contest might be levelled.

A winning sendoff - This will be the final international match for 37-year old NAVNEET DHALIWAL. With 1305 runs at a strike rate of 129.2, he is easily Canada's leading run getter in this format, with the next best way behind in Aaron Johnson, with 910 runs. Dhaliwal has been a part of 29 victorious campaigns in his 48-match T20I career for Canada and that also included the historic maiden World Cup win over Ireland in New York, in the 2024 edition. Along with ending the group stage on a high, gifting their former captain a memorable victory would be the added motivational factor for the Canadians.

From a high to a low - After reaching the semi-final stage of the 2024 T20 World Cup, being knocked out in the first round of the 2026 edition is nothing less than a shock for the Afghans. They came in this tournament with high expectations, only to see those crushed in their first two matches itself. Nevertheless, it is all about moving forward in life and sport and the Asian side will be aiming to at least end their campaign on a high. This is the 8th T20 World Cup for Afghanistan and in the previous 7 editions, they have won their final match of a campaign only once - in 2016 against West Indies, also in India, that time in Nagpur. Number 2 would be a nice addition.

End on a high - That's what both the teams playing in this contest will hope. Canada have been placed in a very tough group but they would want to get at least one win from this edition. As far as the Afghans are concerned, they are a very proud nation and the early exit would still be hurting, but they would want to give their loyal fans some hurrah before they bow out. Hello and a warm welcome to match number 39 between Afghanistan and Canada in Chennai - the penultimate league game of this World Cup.

... MATCH DAY ...

Match intro - As the group stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 draws to a close, Match 39 sees Afghanistan face off against Canada at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. While both teams have been mathematically eliminated from the Super Eight race, this clash remains a vital battle for pride, final rankings, and the chance to end the tournament on a high note. Afghanistan, known for their spin prowess, will look to dominate on a Chepauk track that historically favors their style, while Canada aim for a historic first victory over a Full Member nation in this edition. Afghanistan searching for a strong finish - Afghanistan’s tournament has been a story of what could have been. Heartbreakingly close losses to heavyweights South Africa (in a double Super Over) and New Zealand derailed their campaign early. Despite the disappointment of missing the Super Eights, Rashid Khan’s men remain one of the most dangerous units in the format. Their spin trio of Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman is perfectly suited for the Chennai dust. Also, Azmatullah Omarzai and his ability to break crucial stands, along with adding the finishing touches with the bat, make him one of the most revered all-rounders in the modern game. Canada's last ride - Canada have struggled to find their footing in a brutal Group D, suffering three consecutive defeats against South Africa, UAE, and New Zealand. For the Canadians, this match is about showing they belong on the world stage and avoiding a winless exit. They have shown flashes of individual brilliance, especially with the bat and Yuvraj Samra's historic ton in the last game against New Zealand will give them confidence in doing well with the bat. However, their captain, Dilpreet Bajwa, needs to join the party and the pacers need to be more consistent if they are to take anything back from this game. Form (Last 5 completed T20Is, most recent first) - AFG - WLLLW | CAN - LLLWW. Looking ahead - It is an evening start in Chennai and we haven't seen the kind of turn we usually do at Chepauk. The day games have produced some big scores but one feels that Afghanistan have the in-form bowlers to go on and do the job. Expect Rashid Khan and the in-form Mujeeb Ur Rahman to rule the roost. But if Canada can get off to a decent start in the Powerplay, they have the middle order that can do some real damage. Who do you think will come out on top?