New Zealand vs Canada ICC MT20 WC, 2026, Full Score Card

FOUR! That will do nicely. New Zealand are through to the Super 8s. Jaskarandeep Singh takes pace off and goes into the surface. This sits up to be hit at waist height, around off. Ravindra waits on the back foot and smacks the pull all along the ground between deep mid-wicket and long on for a four. Rachin and Glenn exchange hugs, and it is all smiles in the Kiwi camp. New Zealand win by 8 wickets with 29 balls to spare.

Wide! Short and down leg, Ravindra has a swing at it but does not manage to connect.

Two wides! Full and sliding down leg, Phillips fails to lay any bat on the glance. Shreyas Movva moves to his left but the ball bursts through his gloves and goes through his legs. The batters cross for one as the ball dribbles behind.

Shivam keeps the stumps in play, bowls it flat and short, Ravindra can only pat it back to Sharma.

Short and around the leg stump, Phillips switches his stance and has a swing across the line. Drags it towards deep cover for a single.

Sliding on with the arm, short and at the hips, Rachin clips it in front of square and turns the strike over.

A bit of turn, on a nagging length, on middle, Glenn punches it to long on and crosses over.

Shorter and on off, Rachin reaches out and cuts it to deep cover for one.

SIX! Rachin Ravindra gets to his FIFTY in style! This knock will do his confidence the world of good as the Super 8s approach. Fired in full from around the wicket, angling into middle and leg, and Rachin absolutely nails the slog sweep. High and handsome over deep mid-wicket for a towering six. 9 needed more.

DRINKS BREAK! Just 15 more runs needed for New Zealand to seal their spot in the Super 8s. After losing both openers, it did not take long for Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra to seize control and take the game by the scruff of the neck. Canada have not helped their cause either, with inconsistency in line and length, allowing the batters to dictate terms. Shivam Sharma (1-0-13-0) is back.

FOUR! The Kiwis are in a hurry here! Dilon Heyliger bangs this into the pitch, on middle, sits up nicely for the batter. Glenn Phillips climbs onto it and heaves it away in the gap between deep mid-wicket and long on for four more runs.

A bit fuller and on off, Rachin Ravindra drives it on the up towards long off for one.

Lands this on a good length and on middle and leg, Rachin Ravindra looks to pull it away but misses and gets hit on the thigh pad.

Hard length and on middle, Glenn Phillips swats it down to long on for a single.

WIDE! On a length but down the leg side, Glenn Phillips leaves it alone. Wided. 21 needed in 40 now.

FOUR! Powered away! Dilon Heyliger goes fuller and on off. Glenn Phillips gets right underneath it and bludgeons it down the ground, beating the dive of long off to his right for a blazing boundary.

Back of a length and around off, Glenn Phillips punches it to extra cover.

SIX! KABOOM! Rachin Ravindra's turn now. Saad Bin Zafar gives this one some more air, full and on middle. Rachin gets down on one knee and smacks powerfully over the deep mid-wicket fence for half a dozen more. 16 runs from the over, the Black Caps are cruising.

Fires this one full, on leg, Glenn Phillips clips it to short fine for one.

Flatter, full and on middle, Glenn Phillips drills it wide of long on for a brace.

SIX! Incredible shot! Floated, full and on middle. Glenn Phillips switches his stance early. He gets into a good position for the switch hit, getting low and powers it so well that it goes all the way over the deep cover fence (which becomes mid-wicket now) for a biggie.

Flighted, full and on middle, Glenn Phillips bunts it down the pitch. Saad Bin Zafar sticks out his right hand to make a half stop.

Tossed up, full and around off, Rachin Ravindra gets down but scuffs his sweep off the inner half towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Hard length and on middle, Rachin Ravindra heaves it to deep mid-wicket for one. 42 needed in 48 balls now.

10 runs off the over so far.

WIDE! Fuller but a bit too outside off, Rachin Ravindra leaves it alone. Wided.

Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, takes pace off. Rachin Ravindra swats it to long on for a brace. That brings up the 100-RUN STAND between these two batters.

FOUR! Nice shot! Overpitched delivery, on off, Rachin Ravindra gets under it and drills it hard and wide of long off. The fielder is not that far away but the timing is so good that it beats him to his left. Dilon Heyliger is not happy with the effort.

Back of a length and on middle, Glenn Phillips punches it to long on for a single.

Hard length and on off, Glenn Phillips pats it back to the bowler. Dilon Heyliger gets low on his follow-through and gets his right hand on it. He parries it to his right but no harm done.

Short of a length and outside off, Glenn Phillips cuts it through point for a couple of runs.

Slower through the air, full and on middle, Rachin Ravindra knocks it back to the bowler.

Floated, full and around off, Glenn Phillips pushes it to sweeper cover for one.

SIX! FIFTY FOR PHILLIPS! A fantastic knock from him and this has come in a quick time as well, just 22 balls. A half-tracker, on middle. Glenn Phillips rocks back quickly and hammers it over the deep mid-wicket fence for half a dozen more. The form of Glenn is a good sign for New Zealand if they go to the next round.

Drags his length back and around middle, Rachin Ravindra moves back and pulls it to wide long on for a run.

Flighted, full and on off, Glenn Phillips drills it to long off for a single.

SIX! Glenn Phillips is dealing in sixes here! A googly, but too full, on middle. Phillips attacks it with all his might and tonks it over the bowler's head for a biggie.

Flat and short, on off, this is punched through covers for another single. At the halfway mark, New Zealand are 106/2, requiring 68 runs from 60 balls.

Phillips will feel that he missed out! Short and wide on off, asking to be hit. Phillips reaches out but goes after it a bit too hard. Ends up chopping it beside the strip on the off side.

On middle and leg, Rachin turns it square on the leg side and gets to the other end.

Good effort! This is quicker through the air, shorter and on off. Phillips looks to punch it away on the off side. The ball goes off the toe end and fine of short third. Ansh Patel gives it a chase and slides to push the ball away from the fence, saving a run for his side.

Wide! This is well wide on off, Glenn lets it go.

SIX! That has gone back many a mile! Flatter and fuller by Shivam, around off. Phillips takes a step towards the pitch of the ball, puts his head down and clubs it way over deep mid-wicket. 100 up for the Kiwis.

Pushed down leg, on a length, Rachin sweeps but not fine enough. Ansh Patel slides to his left at short fine leg and makes the stop. Single taken.

Drops it short and around off, Glenn Phillips steers it to point. We can now see the Kiwi physio coming out to the middle as the over ends.

A bit too short, on off, Ravindra hammers the pull to deep mid-wicket for one more run.

Oh, what happened there? Short and on off, this is pulled to deep square leg for one. Phillips grabbed his hip just after playing the shot. He is signalling towards the dressing room for some help between overs.

Stumping chance missed! Googly from Patel and the length is dragged back a touch. Phillips pushes out in front of his body and does not pick the wrong'un. The ball lands and rips past the outside edge. Shreyas Movva has his gloves a bit low and the ball hits him on the wrist before dropping down. Glenn's back leg got dragged out but he managed to plonk it back inside thanks to the error from the keeper.

SIX! Straight as an arrow! Sliding across the right-hander, full and outside off. Phillips reaches out in front and extends his hands to pump it towards the sight screen for a six.

Offers flight, outside off. Ravindra steps out, takes it on the full and hits it back over the bowler's head. It is mopped up by the long off fielder. Just a single.

Ansh Patel has been introduced into the attack now.

Shorter and angled in at the pads, Rachin tucks it through mid-wicket and keeps the strike with a single. New Zealand are 84/2, needing 90 runs in 72 balls.

Attacking the front pad from around the wicket, Ravindra wrists this full ball to the right of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Full and on off, Phillips bunts it to point and turns the strike over.

SIX! As easy as you like! Bajwa dishes out right in the slot, on off. A step-hit from Phillips as he swings through the line and tonks it over long off for a six. The 50-run stand comes up in 30 balls.

Bajwa is lucky to get away with it! Low full toss, on off, Phillips drills it straight to the man at extra cover.

Short and outside off, cut away to deep point for a single.

Across off, Rachin squeezes this fullish ball through extra cover for another single. Saad Bin Zafar goes for 13 runs on his return to the attack.

Slows it down and this is fuller but the line is on the pads, Glenn nurdles it wide of short fine leg for a run.

FOUR! Punished again! Saad drops it too short and offers width. It is there to be put away and Phillips slaps it towards deep cover for four more.

FOUR! Glenn Phillips does not miss out this time! Floated up, on the legs, Phillips drops down on a knee and rolls his wrists over the ball to sweep it behind square leg for a four.

Wide! Fired down leg by Saad. Phillips attempts the sweep but misses.

Very full, on off, Ravindra jams it out wide of point for one more.

Flighted delivery, on the pads, Phillips clips it to deep mid-wicket and crosses over.

DRINKS! New Zealand are 10 runs ahead at this stage, but they have also lost two more wickets than Canada. However, this will be a good test for the Kiwi middle order, and Rachin Ravindra has started well here, looking to steady things alongside Glenn Phillips. Canada have managed to get rid of the openers, but they have also given away a bit too many extras and boundary balls. With the field restrictions now lifted, they will hope that their spinners can put the squeeze on. Here is Saad Bin Zafar to bowl after the break.

Get back, Rachin! Angling away, on a length, Ravindra presses on the front foot to punch it through the off side. Mistimes the shot and the ball dribbles in front of mid off. Rachin sets off for the single before Phillips sends him back and he gets home in time. At the end of the Powerplay, New Zealand are 60/2.

Singh goes short, around the right shoulder. Glenn rises with the bounce and pulls it through square leg. They cross.

On a length, outside off, Glenn Phillips extends his hands and punches it to the left of deep cover for a brace.

From around the wicket now, very full, outside off, Rachin digs it out towards point for a single.

SIX! All the way! Jaskarandeep bashes the hard length, across off. Ravindra hops and gets his hands high to flay it away. He takes on the deep backward point fielder but manages to clear him.

Singh gets away with it! Jaskarandeep sprays it down leg, on a back of a length, Rachin swivels to help it away but can't beat the man at short fine leg.

15 runs off Bajwa's first over. That has eased the pressure New Zealand found themselves in after losing both openers in 4 balls. Change of ends for Jaskarandeep Singh.

Quicker and shorter, on leg, Rachin Ravindra nudges it through square leg for one more. 50 UP FOR THE KIWIS!

FOUR! Gets it away again! Floated, full and on off. Rachin Ravindra gets down on one knee and swipes it, beating mid on to his left for another boundary.

Shorter in length and outside off, Rachin Ravindra punches it but fails to beat extra cover.

FOUR! Up and over! Tossed up, full and on off. Rachin Ravindra crouches low, extends his hands to get to the pitch of it and lifts it over mid off for a boundary.

Two wides! Fires this one full and way down the leg side. Glenn Phillips lets it go, and the keeper also only manages to parry it towards short fine. A bye taken.

Drags his length back, on middle, Rachin Ravindra swipes it to deep square leg for a single.

Flatter, full and on off, Rachin Ravindra drills it wide of mid off. Ravinderpal Singh dives to his left but only makes a half stop. He gets up and chases after it to collect it. Two taken.

Floated, short and around off, Rachin Ravindra punches it to short cover. Oh..no! Bajwa has overstepped here and it is called a No Ball. A sin for a spinner. Free Hit up next.

Touch fuller and on middle, Rachin Ravindra knocks it towards mid on for one more.

Back of a length and on middle, Glenn Phillips rolls his wrists and pulls it to deep square leg for one.

Across off, on a back of a length, Ravindra dabs it in front of point and takes a quick single.

Wide! Short and down the leg side, Rachin tries to pull but misses.

Fuller and on off, Rachin Ravindra pushes it to cover-point, where the fielder dives to his left to make the stop.

On a length and on off, Glenn Phillips pats it to the off side for a quick single.

All of a sudden, Canada have their tails up. Glenn Phillips makes his way out to the centre.

OUT! TAKEN! Dilon Heyliger strikes now and both the Kiwi openers are back in the hut. This is on a hard length and on middle, takes off a bit but also holds up in the surface. Finn Allen looks to work it across the line but closes his bat face early. It takes the leading edge and lobs up towards cover, where Shivam Sharma runs forward and dives to take a stunning catch just inches above the ground. The Canadians are running around everywhere celebratiing but Allen stands there in hope. However, the smart replays confirm that it is a clean grab. New Zealand have been rocked early here.

Gone? Canada are jubilant. Shivam Sharma is claiming the catch. Finn Allen wears a puzzled look on his face. He has been asked to wait. Right, the catch has been checked on smart replays, and Finn has been given the marching orders.

Spin from both ends? Nope, Dilon Heyliger to continue.

Pushed through quicker, short and around off, turns away with extra bounce. Rachin Ravindra looks to cut it away but misses. Just 1 run and a wicket from the over.

Flighted, full and on off, Rachin Ravindra knocks it towards mid off.

Rachin Ravindra is in at number 3. He is greeted with a big roar from the crowd due to his Chennai Super Kings connection.

OUT! TAKEN! Saad Bin Zafar strikes in his first over and gets a big wicket. He bowls the arm ball, follows the batter into the leg stump line. Tim Seifert looks to loft it down the ground but cannot get underneath it fully and fails to get the elevation. He ends up hitting it flat and straight to mid off, where Jaskarandeep Singh takes a good catch. New Zealand are 30/1, chasing 174 runs.

Canada have been given a warning by the umpires. They are already 3 minutes behind on the 20-over clock.

Quicker, full and on middle, Tim Seifert changes his stance and goes for the reverse sweep but hits it straight towards point.

Goes short and on middle, Tim Seifert punches it to extra cover.

Flatter, full and on leg, Finn Allen fails to flick it away as the ball goes off his pads to short fine. A leg bye taken.

FOUR! A bit sloppy in the field! Dilon Heyliger sticks to the fuller length and outside off. Tim Seifert looks to loft it over covers, but slices it a bit. It falls well over the fielder and rolls away. Shivam Sharma chases it and tries to flick it but does not make contact with the ball and lets it through for a boundary.

Back of a length and around off, Tim Seifert punches it to mid off.

Ouch! Fuller again and on middle, Tim Seifert smacks it down the pitch. Dilon Heyliger sticks his right foot out on the follow-through and makes a half-stop. That could have been dangerous for him as it was hit with lot of power.

Pitched up and on off, Finn Allen drills it to long on for a single.

SIX! There she goes! Fuller delivery but angling into the pads. Finn Allen picks it up and whips it nonchalantly way over the deep backward square leg fence for a biggie. That also brings up 1500 T20I runs for Allen.

FOUR! Gets greeted with a boundary! Dilon Heyliger begins with a back-of-the-length delivery, outside off. Finn Allen looks to cut but gets a bottom edge towards deep third man. The fielder is very square and has no chance of stopping that from going to the boundary.

Dilon Heyliger will steam in from the other end.

Length again, on off, Finn Allen pats it towards mid off for one more. End of an eventful first over!

On a length and around off, Tim Seifert stabs it out to extra cover for one.

Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, Tim Seifert swats it to mid on. Allen takes a couple of steps out but is sent back. The fielder hits the stumps at the bowler's end, making Allen hurry but he slides his bat inside in time.

Gets away with it! Had length and on middle, Tim Seifert looks to pull but gets it from the toe-end towards mid on.

Absolute chaos in the middle! One run, plus four overthrows and then a front-foot no ball. Phew. Fuller one and on middle, Finn Allen clips it in front of short mid-wicket and sets off for the run. The fielder picks up and has a shy at the bowler's end, but it is well wide. The fielder backing up at extra cover dives, but lets it through as the ball rolls away to the fence. To make matters worse, the siren goes off, and Singh has overstepped here. No Ball called and a Free Hit to follow.

WIDE! Short of a length and around off, shaping further away. Finn Allen slashes hard at it but fails to connect. Called a wide.

FOUR! Put away! Jaskarandeep Singh errs in line and lands this back of a length, down the leg side. Finn Allen nudges it off his hips wide of short fine leg for a boundary. You just cannot bowl there.

New Zealand are underway in the chase! Jaskarandeep Singh starts with a hard-length delivery, on middle. Tim Seifert stays back to play at it but gets an inside edge towards square leg for a single.

Just one to end the innings! Jacob Duffy pitches it up, outside off, Dilon Heyliger carves it to sweeper cover for a run. Canada finish on 173/4.

Low full toss, on off, Thaker hits it down to long on for a single.

Good length and on middle, Dilon Heyliger looks to heave it to the leg side but gets an inside edge towards short fine for one.

SIX! BOOM! Dilon Heyliger clears the fence with ease. Hard length and just around off. Dilon Heyliger uses his bottom hand and drags his slog over the deep mid-wicket fence for half a dozen. He's a strong man and showed his muscle power.

Yuvraj Samra walks off to a standing ovation. Dilon Heyliger is the new batter.

OUT! CAUGHT! End of a brilliant knock from Yuvraj Samra. Jacob Duffy bangs this into the pitch, on off, takes pace off again. Yuvraj Samra tries to get inside the line of it and hook it over short fine but the ball just gets big on him. He ends up hitting it much squarer towards deep square leg, where Glenn Phillips comes forward, dives to grab it but it spills out for a second. However, he keeps his eyes on the ball and takes it on the second attempt while falling over. Yuvraj departs for a sensational 110 off 65.

An off-cutter, back of a length and around off, Harsh Thaker punches it to extra cover for a single.

A wide yorker, outside off, Yuvraj Samra squeezes it out towards deep point and puts the pressure on the fielder for the second. Glenn Phillips comes charging in but fails to pick up the ball, allowing an easy second. Yes, you read that right, Phillips has let one through in the field.

Another excellent yorker, on middle, Yuvraj Samra gets his bat down and only manages to dig it back to the bowler.

Short of a length and around leg, slower again, Harsh Thaker pulls it away to deep square leg for a run.

James Neesham looks spent out in the middle. Seems like the heat has got to him. He will have to push himself through these last 3 balls. Harsh Thaker walks out to bat.

OUT! PLUMB IN FRONT! James Neesham nails the yorker, on middle. Nicholas Kirton gets a bit too far across to play the scoop and fails to get his bat in line with the ball, getting rapped on the pads right in front of the stumps. There is a shout for LBW, and up goes the finger without hesitation. However, Kirton has taken the review but more in desperation. The replay shows there is a big gap between bat and ball, and Ball Tracking comes up with two reds, with the ball hitting the middle stump. Pitching did not matter here as the ball hit the pads on the full. The on-field decision stands, and Canada are 160/3 now.

Fuller and outside off again, takes pace off, Yuvraj Samra slices it wide of extra cover for a run.

Hard length and outside off, Nicholas Kirton punches it through covers for a single.

James Neesham will bowl the 19th over. He has a chance to redeem himself after dropping Yuvraj Samra on the last ball of the previous over. With the ball too, he has not quite been at his best. 3-0-33-0 so far for Neesham.

DROPPED AND FOUR! You don't see Kiwis put down catches very often, and this shows they are under pressure here. A low full toss, on middle, Yuvraj Samra lofts it down the ground but does not get the desired elevation and hits it towards long on. James Neesham is standing a few yards ahead of the ropes, moves to his right and tries to reverse cup it above his head, but the ball bursts through his hands and trickles to the fence for a boundary.

Back of a length and around off, Nicholas Kirton punches it through cover-point for one.

Out goes Navneet Dhaliwal and in walks Nicholas Kirton.

OUT! TAKEN IN THE DEEP! Matt Henry strikes now. He bowls this full but well outside off, keeping it away from the arc of the batter. Navneet Dhaliwal tries to reach out and throws the kitchen sink at it, but loses his shape and hits it to the longer side as well. The ball flies to deep cover, where Glenn Phillips comes forward and takes his second catch of the match. Canada are 153/2 now.

On a length and on middle, Yuvraj Samra flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

A clever slower bouncer, outside off, Yuvraj Samra has to wait an eternity and tries to upper cut it but misses.

WIDE! A full toss down the leg side, Yuvraj Samra tries to whip it away but misses. Called a wide but could have been worse for Henry.

Back of a length and on middle, Navneet Dhaliwal pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! HUNDRED FOR YUVRAJ SAMRA! What a moment for the 19-year-old, and this has been an incredible knock from him. Short of a length and outside off. Samra slashes at it but gets a bottom edge that races past the short third fielder for a boundary. Samra takes off his helmet and points to his teammates, who are elated. He also becomes the youngest player to score a century in T20 World Cups, as mentioned by Danny Morrison on air.

Fullish and outside off, slower again, Yuvraj Samra drills it wide of sweeper cover. Glenn Phillips runs to his left and dives to make the stop. Two taken. Samra moves to 98 now.

A good yorker, around off, Yuvraj Samra digs it out to short extra cover. A little bit of hesitation between the batters and they decide against the run.

SIX! Just over! Change of pace from Kyle Jamieson, pitches it up, outside off. Yuvraj Samra reaches out and lifts it wide of long off but does not get the timing right. Matt Henry moves to his right and tries to grab it with his outstretched right hand but only parries it over the fence for a biggie.

Full again and angling into the pads, Navneet Dhaliwal swipes it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Fuller and around off, Yuvraj Samra slices across it and mistimes his lofted shot towards long off for a single. He moves into the 90s now.

James Neesham kicks the turf in frustration after receiving the cap from the umpire. What could have been a decent over from New Zealand's perspective ends up going for 13 runs. Kyle Jamieson will bowl out now. 3-0-27-1 so far for Jamieson.

SIX! Right out of the screws! James Neesham dishes out another slower one, but serves this right in the slot. Navneet Dhaliwal waits for it, gets his front foot out of the way and launches it over the long on fence for a biggie.

A full toss, angling into the pads, Yuvraj Samra flicks it to deep mid-wicket for another run. He misses out there as it was there to be put away.

Right in the blockhole, outside off, Yuvraj Samra jams it out but straight to cover-point.

A slower one, full and on middle, Navneet Dhaliwal clears his front leg and lofts it but does not get enough power. It goes on the bounce to long on for a run.

Fuller delivery, on middle, Yuvraj Samra backs away and drills it down to long off for a single.

FOUR! Put away! Short of a length and outside off, pace on. Yuvraj Samra gets the chance to free his arms and crunches it over point for a boundary.

Across off, on a length, Samra swings with all his might. Ends up slicing it off the outer half to deep third for one.

FOUR! Up and over! Short, slower ball, wide on off. Yuvraj does back away again but this time, he waits for the ball to arrive before slamming it over the man at mid off for a four.

Pace off and on a shortish length, outside off. Navneet mistimes the pull to deep mid-wicket. Takes a single and gets off the mark.

On top of off, on a back of a length. Dhaliwal taps it back on the strip.

Henry switches to over the wicket and bangs it in short, on off. Samra flat bats it to long on for a single.

Samra shows his cards early as he backs away. Henry bowls the off-cutter and keeps it away from the batter. Yuvraj fails to connect.

DRINKS! New Zealand have finally managed to get the much-needed breakthrough right at the stroke of Drinks. It was a special 116-run opening stand between Yuvraj Samra and Dilpreet Bajwa, the highest for Canada for any wicket in T20 World Cups. Samra is still out there batting on 77 off 45, and he will be key for them if they want to get a big score here. They have to make the most of this platform and cannot let it go to waste. New Zealand will be a bit relieved that they have got a wicket, and they will look to build on this now. Also, Navneet Dhaliwal walks out to bat at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Dilpreet Bajwa picks out the fielder in the deep. Kyle Jamieson is down on his haunches. Looks like he is struggling in this Chennai heat. Jamieson gets it right up there, almost in the blockhole, outside off. Dilpreet stays leg side and tries to go big on the off side. He fails to get the desired elevation, and it is not wide enough of the deep fielder either. Hits it flat towards Glenn Phillips. Glenn runs in initially at deep cover before he stops, steadies himself and takes the catch close to his chest.

Jamieson is lucky to get away with it! Errs in line as this is on the pads, on a length, Samra misses out on the glance. The ball grazes the inside edge before hitting his pads and dribbling square on the leg side. They cross.

Nails the yorker, outside off, Dilpreet squeezes it out to deep backward point for one.

FOUR! Smart batting! Cross-seam delivery, on a length, around the off stump, Bajwa walks inside the line and lifts his front leg before picking it up over short fine leg for a four.

Pace on now, on a back of a length, Samra dabs it wide of point and picks up a single.

SIX! In the slot and dispatched! Back-of-the-hand slower one attempted but this is too full, on off. Samra collapses his back knee, gets under the ball and tonks it towards the sight screen for his 5th six.

Wide! Kyle Jamieson bangs it in short, it is the pace off option, over middle. Samra walks inside the line to help the pull but he goes through the shot early and the ball balloons over his head.

The last over has given some momentum back to Canada. Daryl Mitchell brings Kyle Jamieson (2-0-13-0) back to break this incredible opening stand.

Darted in, on a length, on off, Yuvraj has a big swing at it but mistimes the pull in front of square for one. 19 runs off the over!

Full and on off, Bajwa clips it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

Shorter and on off, Samra cuts it to deep cover for a single. 100 is up for Canada!

FOUR! Samra keeps finding the fence. 16 runs off the first 3 balls. This is fired in, full and on off, Yuvraj gives himself a bit of room and opens up the front hip to go inside out over cover for a four.

SIX! And again! 400th six of this World Cup. McConchie gives the ball a bit of air and this is on middle, Samra backs away slightly and slams it over long on for another six.

SIX! Clean strike! Flighted delivery from around the wicket, full and outside off,  Samra swings through the line cleanly and deposits it back over the bowler's head for a six.

Duffy keeps it away from the batter's arc, on a short of a length. Bajwa throws his hands at it but gets an underedge. Tim Seifert is caught wrong-footed but he does well to get low to his left and make the stop. Good last 3 overs for New Zealand, just 10 runs off them.

Nearly went to hand! Another slower ball bowled into the surface, outside off. Bajwa hangs back to force it away on the off side. The bat turns in his hand and he ends up hitting it on the bounce to the bowler.

Jacob takes pace off and goes into the strip, on off, Yuvraj shovels it to deep backward square leg and turns the strike over.

On a short of a good length, on middle. Bajwa swivels for the pull but gets an inside edge to short fine leg. The batters are quick to cross over.

Bowls the off-cutter, on a back of a length, Dilpreet rides the bounce and punches well but can't beat the man at backward point.

Duffy hits the top of off, Bajwa steers it with a slightly open bat face to backward point.

The batters are getting some fluids in to beat the heat in Chennai. Also, a change of gloves for Dilpreet Bajwa. Here is Jacob Duffy to bowl now. He has gone for 13 runs in his first two overs.

Fuller and on middle, Bajwa pushes it to long on for a run.

FIFTY FOR SAMRA! A fine knock from a stylish left-hander. Maiden T20 World Cup half-century for Yuvraj. Floated up, on off, Samra extends his hands and plays a punchy drive to deep cover for a single. He looks at the heavens before raising the bat towards the dugout.

Drops it short, on middle, punched to long on for one more.

Glenn Phillips keeps it flat and full, near the tramline. Yuvraj reaches out and cuts it to backward point, where the fielder tumbles to his left but fails to make a clean stop, allowing a single.

Short and turning into the pads, Bajwa clips it behind square leg and crosses over.

Very full first up, on off, Samra squeezes it out to long off for a single.

Glenn Phillips comes into the attack.

Short of a length and on middle, Yuvraj Samra heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a run. Much better over from Neesham, after going for 18 runs in his first.

Three dots in a row! This is another slower delivery, fuller and on off, Yuvraj Samra bunts it out back to the bowler.

Clever bowling! James Neesham sees the batter back away and serves this full, outside off, close to the tramline. Yuvraj Samra throws his bat at it but loses his shape completely and plays all over it.

Goes around the wicket for the left-hander, lands this on a good length and on middle, keeps a bit low. Yuvraj Samra blocks it out on the pitch.

Touch fuller and on middle, Dilpreet Bajwa pushes it towards covers for a single.

A leg-cutter, on a length and on off, grips and turns away a bit. Dilpreet Bajwa tries to guide it away but misses.

Ian Smith informs on air that New Zealand have been warned once for not starting a new over on time. A third offence will result in Canada being awarded five runs. James Neesham returns. He went for 18 runs in his opening over.

Flighted, full and on off, Dilpreet Bajwa steps across and works it wide of long on for one.

Shorter in length once more, on middle, Yuvraj Samra forces it down to long on for another run.

A loopy low full toss, on middle, Dilpreet Bajwa clips it through mid-wicket for a run.

Short again and on off, Yuvraj Samra punches it to long off for a single.

SIX! Excellent shot! Cole McConchie drags his length slightly back, on middle. Yuvraj Samra picks up the length early, rocks back and whacks it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a flat six.

Pushed through quicker, full and on off, angling in. Yuvraj Samra stays back to play at it but gets hurried and keeps it out to the off side.

Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, gives no pace at all. Yuvraj Samra uses his feet again but has to wait for it and stabs it out towards mid off for one.

On a length and on middle, Dilpreet Bajwa nudges it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Pitched up and on middle, Yuvraj Samra drills it to long on for a single.

Good comeback from the bowler! Jamieson sees the batter back away again and follows him this time. He bowls this on a good length and angling into leg, gets some extra bounce as well. Yuvraj Samra has no room to work with and tries to steer it away but gets beaten on the outside edge.

FOUR! Top shot! Kyle Jamieson lands this on a hard length and around off, takes pace off. Yuvraj Samra charges down the track, stays leg side of the ball, just holds his shot for a bit and smashes it through covers for a boundary.

Fuller delivery, on off, angling in, Yuvraj Samra drives it firmly but straight to mid off.

Short again and outside off, Yuvraj Samra cuts it away to deep point for one more.

Drops it short and on leg, turns in a bit. Dilpreet Bajwa rocks back to pull but misses as the ball goes off his pads towards short fine. A leg bye taken.

Flighted, full and on off, Yuvraj Samra drives it to long off for another run.

Tossed up, full and on off, Dilpreet Bajwa pushes it to short cover. Daryl Mitchell dives to his left but only manages to parry it towards long off. They cross.

Goes short and on middle, Yuvraj Samra punches it to long on for a run.

Floated, full and on middle, Dilpreet Bajwa eases it down to long on for a single.

DRINKS BREAK! Canada finish the Powerplay with a flourish. Having lost 4 and 3 wickets in the Powerplay in their previous two games, coming through this phase unscathed is a definite tick in the box. The two openers have been watchful, but at the same time, quick to pounce on anything loose. Not much on offer for the pacers so far, so discipline will be key. As expected, Daryl Mitchell turns to spin immediately after the break. Here's the offie Cole McConchie.

SIX! BANG! What a finish to the Powerplay! James Neesham lands this short of a length and well outside off. Yuvraj Samra makes room, frees his arms and slaps it over point and it goes all the way for a biggie. 18 runs off the over, and 50 is also up for Canada.

FOUR! Hat-trick of boundaries! Fuller in length and on middle, Yuvraj Samra backs away a bit and slams it down the pitch. James Neesham gets down on his follow-through and is on the deck, but it is hit so hard that the ball goes through and races to the fence down the ground for four more runs.

FOUR MORE! Fine shot! Back of a length and on middle, not short enough to trouble the batter. Yuvraj Samra picks up the length early, gets on top of it and pulls it with authority over mid-wicket for another boundary.

FOUR! Nicely done! James Neesham bangs this into the pitch, on middle and leg, angling in a bit. Yuvraj Samra moves across to get inside the line of it and helps it on its way to the deep fine leg fence for a boundary.

Follows the batter, serves this full and angling into leg. Yuvraj Samra backs away but gets cramped up for room and blocks it back to the bowler.

James Neesham comes around the wicket, lands this on a good length, on middle. Yuvraj Samra gets behind the line of it and blocks it out.

Takes pace off again, full and at the sticks. Bajwa drops it in front of cover and he is keen for a single but Samra sends him back.

Pace off by Jamieson, full and on the pads. Dilpreet flicks it off the legs to the left of deep square leg and comes charging back for the second run.

On a back of a length, outside off, Dilpreet punches it to cover-point from the crease.

Pushes the length up, full and on off, Dilpreet drives it without much timing to cover.

Much better from Jamieson! Kyle hits the deck hard and gets the ball to jag back in with a bit of extra bounce. Bajwa stands tall to punch it away but the ball cuts back in to go past the inside edge.

FOUR! Kyle Jamieson is greeted with a boundary! A real loose ball first up by Jamieson. A juicy half-volley, around the off stump. Bajwa needs no second invitation as he leans on and creams the drive to the right of cover for a four.

Will we see the first bowling change? Yes, Kyle Jamieson replaces Matt Henry.

Duffy bashes the hard length, on off, Dilpreet runs it down to deep third for a single.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Moving away in the air, on a length, outside off. Bajwa presses half-forward and lets his hands flow into the lofted drive. Plays it over cover and picks up a boundary.

Into the surface, at the bodyline, Samra gets his hands high and fends it in front of square leg for a run.

On a good length, outside off, Bajwa plays it down to deep third and crosses over.

Attacking the front pad, on a length, Samra's head falls over while playing the flick. Ekes out an inside edge onto the pads and the ball dribbles to the left of mid-wicket. They cross.

Swinging back in, on a good length, on middle and leg. Yuvraj moves away from the stumps towards the leg side and has a swing at it. He is tucked up for room and ends up chopping it down the strip.

In and around the off stump, fractionally wide, on a short of a length. Dilpreet extends his hands and punches it through covers for a couple of runs. A couple of fielders give chase and mop it up.

Hits the good length, on off and middle. Bajwa presents a straight bat and keeps it out.

On top of off, Yuvraj uses his feet and punches it on the up between cover and mid off for a run.

Around the off pole at 134 kph, on a length, Samra attempts the flick but mistimes it to mid-wicket.

Good running! On a length, on middle, Dilpreet knocks it in front of mid on and pinches a quick single.

Wide! Too full and down leg, Dilpreet misses out on the tickle.

Full and straight, attacking the sticks, Dilpreet pats it back to Henry with a straight bat.

On a back of a length, outside off, Bajwa runs it to deep third for a single.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Duffy tries to bring the ball back into the right-hander but the line is too straight. Sprays a length ball on the pads. Bajwa tickles it fine to deep fine leg for a four to get off the mark. It brushed the pads before racing away but it looks like the batter got some bat on it too.

Oh, hello! Duffy goes wide on the crease and keeps the stumps in play. On a good length, Bajwa taps it beside the strip on the leg side and waits for the ball to go past Duffy. Jacob does well to get around and picks the ball up with his right hand. He spots Dilpreet out of the crease and has a shy at the batting end but misses.

Hits the hard length, on off, Dilpreet angles it off the back foot to backward poimt.

Honing in on the off pole, on a length, Bajwa watchfully defends.

A loose waft and Bajwa gets away with it! The ball moves away a touch, on a good length, in the channel. Dilpreet's feet go nowhere and he just pokes away from his body. He is lucky not to nick this one behind.

Jacob Duffy to share the attack.

FOUR MORE! Nicely done! Henry pulls the length back and brings the closer to the off pole. Samra stands tall on his toes in the crease and rides the bounce to punch it through covers for back-to-back boundaries. 8 runs off the first over!

FOUR! Yuvraj Samra is up and running. Henry bowls it on a length, outside off. Yuvraj backs away and dances down the track. Carves it over cover for the first boundary of the contest.

Angled away this time, on a good length. Samra lets the ball come to him and defends it close to his body.

Rapped on the pads! A hint of shape back in, on a good length, on middle. Yuvraj is beaten on the flick and gets hit high on the front pad. The LBW shout dies down quickly as that looked high.

Across off again but this is on  back of a length, Samra stands tall and gets on top of it before punching it to point.

Pushed across the left-hander, on a length. Yuvraj Samra stabs it down on the off side off the front foot.

We are done with the pre-match formalities, and it is time for the action to begin. The two umpires make their way out to the middle, followed by Daryl Mitchell and his men. Canada's skipper, Dilpreet Bajwa, walks out to open alongside Yuvraj Samra. Matt Henry will kickstart the proceedings with the new ball. Henry to Samra. A slip in place. Here we go!

We are moments away from the first ball, but before that, the two teams will line up for the national anthems. The match officials lead the way before Daryl Mitchell and Dilpreet Bajwa lead their respective sides out. It will be Canada's national anthem first, followed by that of New Zealand.

PITCH REPORT -  Former West Indies leg-spinner Samuel Badree is near the deck. He shares that the weather is set fair and in terms of the boundary dimensions, there is a disparity square of the wicket, with 60 metres on one side and 73 metres on the other, while the straight hit is 75 metres. Former Kiwi wicket-keeper Katey Martin joins him and says that it is a belter and this is the same wicket that was used for the New Zealand and UAE game. Adds that as it is a morning game, there is some stickiness and some stud marks near the landing area. She reckons there might be something for the bowlers early on, but as the sun bakes the surface, it will become easier for batting. Ends by saying that she expects a lot of runs.

Day game brings a different challenge - New Zealand's skipper for this game, Daryl Mitchell, informs that Mitchell Santner has a stomach bug and hopes that he will be good to go in 24 hours. Mentions that they are excited for Lockie Ferguson, who has gone back home for the birth of his first child. Kyle Jamieson replaces him and Cole McConchie replaces Santner. Believes that the day game serves a different challenge, but they have guys who have a fair bit of experience playing in Chennai, and that should serve them well.

Expects turn later in the day - Canada's captain Dilpreet Bajwa says the expectation of more turn later in the day is one of the reasons behind opting to bat first. Mentions that they have played a night game here but reckons their spinners have more chance in these conditions. Informs that Kaleem Sena has an injury, and Shivam Sharma comes in for him.

Canada (Playing XI) - Yuvraj Samra, Dilpreet Bajwa (C), Navneet Dhaliwal, Harsh Thaker, Nicholas Kirton, Shreyas Movva (WK), Saad Bin Zafar, Shivam Sharma (In for Kaleem Sana), Dilon Heyliger, Jaskarandeep Singh, Ansh Patel.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Tim Seifert (WK), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell (C), Cole McConchie (In for Mitchell Santner), James Neesham, Kyle Jamieson (In for Lockie Ferguson), Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy.

TOSS - Well, well, no Mitchell Santner at the toss for the Kiwis. Daryl Mitchell is standing alongside Canada's Dilpreet Bajwa. Bajwa calls it correctly. Canada elect to BAT first.

Permutations at play - Afghanistan and the UAE will be quietly watching this contest, hoping for a New Zealand slip-up that would ignite late drama in the group. Canada have struggled to string together complete performances over longer stretches. Although Dilpreet Bajwa's side is yet to play in Chennai during the group stage, they played both their warm-up fixtures at this venue, which should at least give them a degree of familiarity with the conditions. Stay tuned for the toss and team news.

Chennai awaits a new chapter - While Canada and New Zealand have met three times before in ODI World Cups, with the Kiwis winning all of them convincingly, this will be their first encounter in T20Is. The shortest format has a way of shrinking gaps and injecting unpredictability, irrespective of rankings, and let's hope it delivers a contest to remember.

What's on the menu? First up, Canada take on New Zealand in Chennai, with the Kiwis eyeing qualification to the next round with a win. Later in the day, Ireland face Zimbabwe in Pallekele, where a victory for Sikandar Raza and his men would send them through to the Super 8s and knock Australia out of the race. We will end the day in Mumbai, where Scotland and Nepal will play for pride and look to sign off their campaigns on a high.

Tuesday's dose of entertainment - Hello and a warm welcome, everyone! Hope your week has started well. We have another cracking day of action lined up. With just 10 matches left in the group stage, 5 teams (India, Sri Lanka, West Indies, England and South Africa) have already sealed their spots in the Super 8s. Two more could join them today, depending on how the results unfold.

... MATCH DAY ...

Match intro - As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 enters the critical backend phase of the group stage, Match 31 features a fascinating David vs Goliath encounter between New Zealand and Canada at the historic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. New Zealand, the perennial dark horses who have become masters of consistency, face off against a Canadian side looking to claim the biggest scalp in their cricketing history. New Zealand look to bounce back - New Zealand enter this fixture on the back of a hefty defeat against the Proteas. However, having already secured dominant victories over Afghanistan and the UAE, the Black Caps are still breathing down the necks of South Africa for the top spot in Group D. After a disappointing early exit in 2024, the Kiwis have returned to their spin-heavy blueprint, which has proved lethal on Indian tracks. The Kiwis are generally very adaptable to different surfaces and after playing a five-match T20I series in India before the start of the World Cup, one expected them to be well versed with the conditions. They were excellent in the first two matches but the Proteas really gave them a reality check. When the top order misfires, the middle order seems a bit vulnerable and their pacers haven't bowled well as a unit. A few tweaks are needed if New Zealand want to confirm a place in the Super 8 and one would expect them to do just that. Canada's chance to stun the world - Canada, led by Dilpreet Bajwa, arrive in Chennai as the clear underdogs but with nothing to lose. While they’ve struggled against the heavyweights like South Africa earlier in the tournament, their unbeaten run in the Americas Qualifiers showed they possess the grit to challenge established nations if the conditions offer a bit of grip and turn. Their last match against the UAE was a humdinger of a contest in which Canada let things slip out of their grasp and ended up on the losing side. They have shown flashes of brilliance and their spin attack in the middle phase can be very effective. The likes of Navneet Dhaliwal and Harsh Thaker have shown promise as well in that middle order and it is now up to Dilpreet Bajwa to lead from the front with the bat. Form (Last 5 T20Is, most recent first) -  NZ - LWWLW | CAN - LLWWW. What to expect? The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is generally synonymous with spin. Recent matches in this tournament have shown that while the ball comes on nicely under lights, the morning matches often see the pitch offering grip more as the moisture dries up. Both teams have good spin options but the Kiwis have already played in Chennai during the morning and know what's coming. Can Canada push the Kiwis and put them under pressure? Or will Mitchell Santner and co get back to winning ways without a fuss? Only time will tell.