CHENNAI, India: Afghanistan signed off their Group D campaign in emphatic fashion on Thursday, securing a comprehensive 82-run victory over Canada in a T20 World Cup clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Afghanistan, having four points on the table, finished at number three in the group while Canada with pointless at the bottom.
The Proteas and the Kiwis have already confirmed their spots in the next round of the Super Eight from this group.
A clinical knock from Ibrahim Zadran sees Afghanistan sign off from #T20WorldCup on a high 👌
He's the @aramco POTM 🎖️ pic.twitter.com/bN74ashgPS
— ICC (@ICC) February 19, 2026
Zadran’s Masterclass Powers Afghanistan to 200
Earlier in the evening, Afghanistan posted a mammoth total of 200 for 4, thanks to a sensational unbeaten knock of 95 from opener Ibrahim Zadran.
The right-hander was the anchor of the innings, facing 56 balls and smashing seven boundaries and five sixes.
Zadran found able partners throughout the innings.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz provided a brisk start with 30 off 20 balls, while Sediqullah Atal played a crucial hand of 44 off 32 balls, adding 95 runs for the third wicket with Zadran.
Late cameos from Azmatullah Omarzai (13 off 7) and Darwish Rasooli (4* off 4) propelled the Afghans past the 200-run mark.
For Canada, Jaskaran Singh was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets, including the crucial scalps of Gurbaz, Gulbadin Naib, and Atal.
Clinical Afghanistan finish their #T20WorldCup 2026 campaign on a high in Chennai 👌
📝: https://t.co/kuKdMlKqlQ pic.twitter.com/iIpXnA24Fy
— ICC (@ICC) February 19, 2026
Veteran Nabi Spins Web to Dismantle Canada
Chasing a daunting target of 201, Canada’s top order crumbled under the pressure of a world-class Afghan spin attack.
The 39-year-old veteran Mohammad Nabi produced a mesmerising spell of off-spin, decimating the Canadian middle order with figures of 4 for 7 in his four overs.
Nabi struck at regular intervals, removing Yuvraj Samra (17), Harsh Thaker (30), Nicholas Kirton (10), and Dilon Heyliger (3) to leave the Canadian innings in tatters.
He was well-supported by skipper Rashid Khan, who picked up two wickets for just 19 runs in his four overs, cleaning up the lower middle order.
Canada’s batters struggled to cope with the spin trio of Nabi, Rashid, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (1/23).
Harsh Thaker was the only batter to show some resistance, scoring 30 off 24 balls, while Saad Bin Zafar chipped in with a late 28 off 26 deliveries.
