In a dominant display at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Afghanistan scripted their fourth-largest victory by runs in T20 World Cup history, demolishing Canada by 82 runs on Thursday. Batting first after losing the toss, the Afghan side posted a formidable 200 for 4 in their 20 overs, setting a daunting target that Canada could only chase down to 118 for 8.
The Afghan innings kicked off with a fiery opening stand of 47 runs in just 5.3 overs between Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. Gurbaz smashed 30 off 20 balls, including five boundaries, before falling, and Gulbadin Naib soon followed for a duck. But the real fireworks came from Zadran, who remained unbeaten on a magnificent 95 from 56 balls, laced with seven fours and five sixes. Sedikullah Atal chipped in with 44 off 32, forging a crucial 95-run third-wicket partnership that propelled the team to a massive total. Jaskaran Singh picked up three wickets for Canada, with Dillon Heyliger grabbing one.
Defending the total, Afghanistan’s bowlers ran riot. Mohammad Nabi was the wrecker-in-chief, claiming 4 for 7 in his four overs – the third-best bowling figure by an Afghan in T20 World Cups. Rashid Khan added 2 wickets, while Azmatullah Omarzai and Mujeeb Ur Rahman each snared one. Canada’s chase never took off, with Harsh Thaker top-scoring on 30 off 24 balls and Saad Bin Zafar making 28, but they crumbled under pressure.
This triumph marks Afghanistan’s fourth biggest win by runs in the tournament, following their record 130-run victory over Scotland in 2021, 125 runs against Uganda in 2024, and 84 runs versus New Zealand earlier this year. Nabi’s spell underlines Afghanistan’s growing prowess in the shortest format, signaling their arrival as a force in global cricket.