Did Mohammad Nabi's 4-7 Lead Afghanistan to an 82-Run Victory Over Canada in T20 WC?
Synopsis
In an exhilarating finish to their campaign, Afghanistan's Mohammad Nabi delivered a stunning bowling performance, achieving 4-7 against Canada. This victory by 82 runs marked a significant moment in the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, showcasing Afghanistan's potential despite falling short of advancing to the Super Eight stage.
Key Takeaways
Mohammad Nabi showcased exceptional bowling skills with 4-7 .
Afghanistan scored 200 runs for the first time in the tournament.
Ibrahim Zadran was a key player, scoring 95 not out .
Canada struggled to recover after losing early wickets.
This match concluded Afghanistan's campaign in the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup .
Chennai, Feb 19 (NationPress) Veteran off-spin bowling all-rounder Mohammad Nabi showcased an incredible performance with figures of 4-7 as Afghanistan triumphed over Canada by 82 runs in their concluding Group D match, wrapping up their campaign in the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup on a high note at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday.
After being put in to bat first, Afghanistan amassed a total of 200/4, driven by Ibrahim Zadran’s impressive unbeaten 95, marking his second consecutive fifty in the tournament. Sediqullah Atal contributed with 44, as Afghanistan achieved a score of 200 in the tournament for the first time. Canada’s pacer Jaskaran Singh was their standout bowler, claiming 3-52, but the visitors faced difficulties in containing Afghanistan's acceleration during the final overs, which produced 69 runs.
Canada’s innings started positively, with Yuvraj Samra hitting boundaries in the first over and Dilpreet Bajwa clearing the ropes twice in the subsequent over. However, their momentum was quickly halted as Mujeeb Ur Rahman bowled out Bajwa, Navneet Dhaliwal fell for a duck in his final international match, and Nabi dismissed Samra, leaving Canada struggling at 33/3 during the Powerplay.
From that point, Afghanistan’s spinners tightened their grip. Skipper Rashid Khan added 2-19 while Nabi’s finesse proved crucial as he dismantled the middle order. Canada showed brief resistance through Harsh Thaker (30) and captain Saad bin Zafar (28), who shared a 53-run partnership. Yet, the chase never recovered from the early collapse, concluding at 118/8 in their 20 overs.
This victory allowed Afghanistan to finish their campaign on a strong note, although their journey fell short of reaching the Super Eight stage, marking Jonathan Trott's final match as head coach. For Canada, this defeat ended a spirited campaign that displayed glimpses of potential from their younger players.
Chasing 201 was always a daunting task, despite Samra and Bajwa's strong start. Their innings unraveled quickly as Mujeeb bowled out Bajwa with a googly, Dhaliwal was caught at deep backward point for a five-ball duck, and Nabi struck on his very first delivery to dismiss Samra, whose leading edge was caught.
Nabi continued to weave his spell, removing Nicholas Kirton and later Thaker, achieving his best-ever figures in a T20 World Cup. Rashid Khan took out Shreyas Movva and bin Zafar as the middle order succumbed under relentless spin pressure, allowing Afghanistan to finish their campaign on a triumphant note.
Brief scores:
Afghanistan 200/4 in 20 overs (Ibrahim Zadran 95 not out, Sediqullah Atal 44; Jaskaran Singh 3-52, Dilon Heyliger 1-41) beat Canada 118/8 in 20 overs (Harsh Thaker 30, Saad Bin Zafar 28; Mohammad Nabi 4-7, Rashid Khan 2-19) by 82 runs
Point of View
I believe Afghanistan's performance in this match reflects both their talent and resilience. They may not have advanced in the tournament, but the skills displayed by players like Mohammad Nabi and Ibrahim Zadran signal a bright future for Afghan cricket. Canada, too, showed promise, indicating that the global cricket landscape is evolving with new talent emerging.
NationPress
6 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Mohammad Nabi's bowling figures against Canada?
Mohammad Nabi achieved remarkable bowling figures of 4-7 against Canada.
How many runs did Afghanistan win by in their final match?
Afghanistan won by 82 runs.
Who was the standout batsman for Afghanistan?
Ibrahim Zadran was the standout batsman, scoring an unbeaten 95.
What was Afghanistan's total score in the match?
Afghanistan scored 200 runs for 4 wickets in their innings.
What was the significance of this match for Canada?
This match marked the end of Canada's campaign in the tournament, showcasing their young talent.
