Ibrahim Zadran’s unbeaten 95 propelled Afghanistan to a commanding 82-run victory against Canada in a T20 World Cup showdown in Chennai, etching it as their fourth-largest win by runs. The MA Chidambaram Stadium witnessed Afghan flair at its best.
After a toss loss, Afghanistan’s batsmen fired on all cylinders to 200/4. Gurbaz’s 30 (20b, 5×4) and Zadran’s explosive start yielded 47, disrupted by Naib’s early exit. Atal’s 44 fused with Zadran’s masterclass – 95 off 56 with boundaries galore – for a match-defining 95-run stand. Canada’s Jaskaran (3 wickets) and Heyliger toiled in vain.
Chasing, Canada stuttered to 118/8, undone by Nabi’s lethal 4/7 (third-best Afghan T20 WC bowling), Rashid’s brace, and support from Omarzai and Mujeeb. Thaker (30, 4 boundaries) and Zafar (28) fought, but the target proved insurmountable.
This adds to Afghanistan’s storied T20 WC record: 130-run drubbing of Scotland (2021), 125 vs Uganda, 84 over New Zealand (both 2024). Nabi’s figures trail only Farooqi’s 5/8 and Mujeeb’s 5/20. With such performances, Afghanistan is knocking on the door of greater glory in international cricket.