New Zealand produced a clinical performance in Chennai, defeating Canada by eight wickets to seal their place in the Super Eights of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. After suffering a setback against South Africa in their previous outing, the BlackCaps bounced back solidly, chasing down 174 with 29 balls to spare.
Earlier in the day, Canada’s innings was headlined by a sensational 110 off 65 balls from Yuvraj Samra to post 173/4. His knock, laced with 11 fours and six sixes, lifted the Associate team to a strong total despite New Zealand picking regular wickets in the latter half. A 116-run opening stand put the Canadian team in the driver’s seat, but the Black Caps kept things tight at the death.
In reply, New Zealand’s chase had a brief wobble. Tim Seifert and Finn Allen fell early. However, Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips stitched together a match-winning partnership, taking apart the Canadian bowlers. Phillips was particularly brilliant, smashing 76 off just 36 balls, bringing up a 22-ball fifty that tilted the contest decisively. Ravindra anchored the innings smartly, as he brought up his half-century in 35 balls and sealed the win in the 16th over.
Top Batting performance of the match – Glenn Philips
Despite Yuvraj Samra’s record ton in the first innings, which grabbed headlines, it was New Zealand’s Glenn Philips’ quickfire fifty that took the team over the line with utmost comfort. Throughout his knock, the right-handed batter hammered the Canadian bowlers to all parts of the ground and kept the required rate in check. Philips scored an unbeaten 36-ball 76, lacing his knock with two boundaries and five sixes.
Top Bowling performance of the match – Jacob Duffy
Right-arm quick Jacob Duffy looked different in this game. While four of the BlackCaps bowlers picked a wicket each, it was Duffy who remained economical and picked the wicket of the centurion Yuvraj Samra. In his four-over spell, he conceded 25 runs and kept the opposition batter on the backfoot.
Records Broken and Major Milestones Achieved
- Glenn Phillips smashed a 22-ball fifty, the fastest ever by a New Zealand batter in T20 World Cups, surpassing Aaron Redmond (23 vs Ireland, 2009) and Tim Seifert (23 vs UAE, 2026).
- Yuvraj Samra’s 110 accounted for 63.6% of Canada’s total (173), the second-highest share of team runs in T20 World Cup history after Brendon McCullum’s 64.4% in 2012.
- Samra’s 110 is now the highest individual score by an Associate player in T20 World Cups, eclipsing Aaron Jones’s 94*.
- Samra’s six sixes are the joint-most by an Associate batter against a Full Member in a T20 World Cup, alongside Brandon McMullen (vs Australia, 2024) and Ben Manenti (vs England, 2026).
- At 19 years 141 days, Samra became the youngest centurion in T20 World Cup history.
- Samra also registered the first-ever century by an Associate batter in T20 World Cup history.
- The 116-run opening stand between Samra and Dilpreet Bajwa is the highest partnership by an Associate team against a Full Member in T20 World Cups, surpassing the 107-run stand by Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu.
- Samra (19y 141d) is now the youngest player to score a T20 World Cup fifty, breaking the record of Junaid Siddique (19y 325d in 2007).
- The 116-run opening partnership is Canada’s highest for any wicket in Men’s T20 World Cup history, overtaking previous national records.
- Samra’s 110 is the highest individual score for Canada in a Men’s T20 World Cup, surpassing Navneet Dhaliwal’s 64.
- His 80 runs in boundaries set a new Canadian record for most boundary runs in a T20 World Cup innings.
- Samra’s six sixes are now the most by a Canadian batter in a Men’s T20 World Cup innings, breaking the previous record of four.
- The 37-run stand between Dhaliwal and Samra is Canada’s highest second-wicket partnership in Men’s T20 World Cup history.
- Phillips and Rachin Ravindra’s 146-run stand is New Zealand’s highest third-wicket partnership in Men’s T20 World Cups, surpassing the previous 91-run record involving Kane Williamson.
Who was the Player of the Match?
Star batter Glenn Philips earned the Player of the Match Award for his brilliant performance with the bat, which helped New Zealand confirm their spot in the Super Eight. Philips steadied the innings after the team lost two wickets and stitched an impressive stand with Rachin Ravindra.
What is the next match?
New Zealand has qualified for the Super Eight stage, and their next opponent is set to be announced once the qualifications of other teams are confirmed. Meanwhile, Canada has been eliminated from the tournament and will be playing Afghanistan in their final league game.
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