AFG vs CAN: Afghanistan Signs Off T20 World Cup 2026 With a Massive 82-Run Statement
By Crick tv
Updated: Feb 20, 2026 10:30 AM
What a way to bow out! If you were looking for fireworks at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Afghanistan just delivered a complete masterclass.
Yash here, and welcome back to CrickTV.in. Match 39 of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 might have been a dead rubber for the Super 8s qualification, but Afghanistan treated it like a grand finale, completely outclassing Canada by a massive 82 runs. Let's break down this explosive encounter.
The Ibrahim Zadran Masterclass
Batting first, Afghanistan had one clear mission: put a mountain of runs on the board. Ibrahim Zadran understood the assignment perfectly. He anchored the innings and then exploded, smashing an unbeaten 95 off just 56 deliveries*.
Yes, he fell agonizingly short of a well-deserved century, but his 7 boundaries and 5 massive sixes gave the Chennai crowd pure entertainment. Supported by a solid 44 from Sediqullah Atal, the Afghan Atalans posted a daunting 200/4. Canada's bowlers—despite Jaskaran Singh picking up 3 wickets—simply had no answers once Zadran shifted gears in the death overs.
Mohammad Nabi: The Ultimate Cheat Code
Chasing 201 on a gripping Chennai track is a nightmare. Mohammad Nabi made sure Canada never even got out of the starting blocks. The veteran all-rounder was absolutely unplayable, returning with literal video-game numbers: 4 overs, 7 runs, 4 wickets. Let that sink in!
Supported by the ever-reliable skipper Rashid Khan (2/19), the Afghan spin web completely choked the Canadian batting lineup. Harsh Thaker (30) and Saad Bin Zafar (28) showed some lower-order resistance, but Canada could only crawl to 118/8 in their allotted 20 overs.
The Final Verdict
While it's heartbreaking that Afghanistan won't be advancing to the Super Eights after those earlier narrow defeats to South Africa and New Zealand, this 82-run victory is a huge statement of intent. They proved their sheer firepower and gave head coach Jonathan Trott a fitting, dominant farewell. For Canada, it’s a tough winless exit, but gaining experience at the highest level is a crucial learning curve.
What was your favorite moment from the match? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! For more blazing-fast cricket updates, viral stats, and match breakdowns, keep it locked to Cricktvoffical.