CHENNAI: Canada produced their best batting performance of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 so far, reaching 173 for 4 in 20 overs against New Zealand at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, with opener Yuvraj Samra smashing 110 off 65 balls to give the Canadians a competitive total at the innings break.
Samra set the tone from the start and, alongside captain Dilpreet Bajwa, built a commanding platform that left New Zealand chasing the game early. The pair added 116 for the first wicket, with Bajwa providing support for a more measured 36 off 39 before he was dismissed at the end of the 14th over.
With Canada well placed at the halfway stage, Samra shifted gears through the middle overs, reaching his century in style and keeping the run rate above eight an over as New Zealand struggled to find control.
New Zealand clawed back some momentum late with wickets in the final three overs. Navneet Dhaliwal fell trying to clear the longer boundary, Nicholas Kirton was trapped lbw, and Samra’s superb innings ended at 19.2 overs when he was caught in the deep.
Canada finished strongly despite the late strikes, leaving New Zealand 174 to win.
