In a pulsating encounter at the T20 World Cup 2026, the United Arab Emirates delivered a commanding performance to defeat Canada by five wickets. This victory propelled UAE to the fourth spot on the Group D points table, keeping their qualification hopes firmly alive.
Canada, electing to bat first after winning the toss, found themselves in early trouble, slumping to 38 for 3. Harsh Thakor then steadied the ship with a crucial 58-run partnership for the fourth wicket alongside Navneet Dhaliwal off 47 balls. Dhaliwal fell for 34 off 28 deliveries, laced with four boundaries, but Thakor pressed on.
Pairing with Shreyas Movva, Thakor added another 33 runs for the fifth wicket, guiding Canada to 129 before Movva departed for 21. Thakor’s masterful 50 off 41 balls, featuring three sixes and two fours, anchored the innings. Captain Dilpreet Bajwa chipped in with 11, but no other batter crossed double figures. UAE’s Junaid Siddiqui was the wrecker-in-chief, claiming a remarkable five-wicket haul for 35 runs in four overs, with Mohammad Jawadullah grabbing one.
Chasing 151, UAE lost captain Mohammad Waseem early for 4 at 12 for 1. Aryansh Sharma and Alishan Sharafu rebuilt with 29 runs for the second wicket. By 66 for 4, the chase intensified, but Sharma’s explosive 84-run stand with Shoaib Khan for the fifth wicket turned the game. Sharma smashed 74 off 53 balls, including six fours and three sixes, before holing out. Khan remained unbeaten on 51 off 29, blasting four fours and four sixes, steering UAE home in 19.4 overs.
Canada’s Saad Bin Zafar fought back with 3 for 14, while Kaleem and Jasrkaran Singh picked up one each. UAE’s clinical chase and bowling dominance underline their growing prowess in T20 cricket, setting up an intriguing group stage battle.