Afghanistan crush Canada by 82 runs in ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 as Ibrahim Zadran shines with 95* runs

Afghanistan produced a commanding display to defeat Canada by 82 runs in their Group D clash of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, delivering one of the tournament’s most dominant performances. Afghanistan began the match, put up an amazing score by batting 1st scoring 200/4 runs, Afghanistan played aggressively and accelerated throughout their innings. The overall total was too much for Canada to chase down due to not only the total being large but also due to the pitch favoring disciplined bowling. Throughout the match, Afghanistan controlled the game by displaying explosive batting while mastering strategic thinking to show dominance and finish their overall season strongly.

The backbone of each Afghanistan batting performance was Ibrahim Zadran who scored an amazing and well deserved 95 not out after providing poise and power through his striking with proper timing and execution; obtaining runs through boundaries while protecting their wickets. At the beginning of the innings Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored a solid 30 runs to provide a quick start to Afghanistan, and Sediqullah Atal scored an aggressive 44 runs to continue to build momentum through the mid innings phase of the match. Afghanistan capitalized on the Canadian bowlers with aggressive late runs, while being able to continue to rotate the strike throughout their innings.

 While Canada offered some brief resistance due to Harsh Thaker and Saad Bin Zafar, there was no real momentum behind the Canadian chase. The early wickets hurt their chances & the required run rate continued to climb out of control. Afghanistan's bowlers created pressure on Canada all through the innings by continually getting wickets at regular intervals and preventing any significant partnerships from forming. The discipline of Afghanistan's lines & the cleverness of their variations made it impossible for Canada to find a way back into the game. By the halfway mark, the contest had basically turned into a near de facto victory for Afghanistan as Canada was forced to resort to risky strokes that resulted in further deteriorating Canada's chances of success while only strengthening Afghanistan's position in the match.

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Afghanistan's clinical bowling seals dominance win against Canada

Mohammad Nabi was the star bowler, producing a brilliant 4 for 7 result against the Canadian middle-order. He demonstrated good control and used subtle variation in speed to make it difficult for the Canadian batters to approach the chase, rendering it almost a formality. Captain Rashid Khan complemented his effort well, claiming two wickets with multiple variations and thus outsmarting batters attempting to attack. Their combined control meant that Canada would not be close to reaching the target, adding to Afghanistan’s strength and experience under pressure through the entire innings.

In the end, the overall margin of victory was indicative of how much better Afghanistan was than Canada in all facets of play. Batting featured a mix of patience and power, while the bowling performed its plans with accuracy. This victory not only demonstrated Afghanistan’s ability but also showcased the team’s capacity to dominate when they have the advantage of conditions that match their submissions. Canada struggled to attain the level of intensity and consistency needed for the caliber of play they were facing. Afghanistan’s authoritative performance was a definitive statement about their ability to win games through disciplined execution and collective awareness of what was happening.

Key Moments

The turning point came during the middle overs of Canada’s chase, when Mohammad Nabi ripped through the lineup with a stunning spell that reduced them from a steady position to deep trouble. His quick strikes removed set batters and exposed the lower order, halting any chance of recovery. Earlier, Afghanistan’s surge between overs 10 and 18 with the bat shifted momentum decisively, as boundaries flowed and the total surged past 190. Once the required rate crossed double digits, Canada were forced into high-risk shots, leading to regular wickets and effectively sealing the contest long before the final over.

Top Performances

The match belonged to Ibrahim Zadran, whose unbeaten 95 anchored the innings with a blend of composure and controlled aggression, ensuring Afghanistan posted a daunting total. He found strong support from Sediqullah Atal’s fluent 44 and a brisk start by Rahmanullah Gurbaz. With the ball, Nabi’s four-wicket masterclass and captain Rashid Khan’s tidy two-wicket spell highlighted Afghanistan’s bowling depth. Their combined efforts showcased a complete team performance, underlining why they remain one of the most dangerous sides when both batting and bowling units click simultaneously.

Brief Score:
Afghanistan 200/4 (20 overs) – Ibrahim Zadran 95*, Sediqullah Atal 44; Jaskarandeep Singh 3/52
Canada 118/8 (20 overs) – Harsh Thaker 30, Saad Bin Zafar 28; Mohammad Nabi 4/7, Rashid Khan 2/19
Result: Afghanistan won by 82 runs – ICC Men's T20 World Cup.