Afghanistan supplied a sentimental and scientific farewell to their departing head coach, Jonathan Trott, by securing a dominant 82-run victory over Canada on the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on February 19 in T20 World Cup 2026. The victory was constructed on a record-breaking batting efficiency that noticed Afghanistan put up their highest complete of the 2026 version, adopted by a masterful spin show beneath the Chennai lights.
Though each groups had already been eradicated from Tremendous 8 rivalry, the match served as a poignant tribute to Trott’s transformative four-year tenure. This consequence ensures Afghanistan finishes third within the ‘Group of Loss of life,’ leaving the competitors with their heads held excessive and a transparent blueprint for the ODI World Cup 2027.
Ibrahim Zadran’s record-breaking 95* propels Afghanistan to 200
The primary innings in Chennai belonged totally to Ibrahim Zadran, who produced a masterclass in managed aggression to complete with an unbeaten 95 off simply 64 balls. Zadran’s innings was a historic one, marking the best particular person rating by an Afghan batter in T20 World Cup historical past, surpassing the earlier file held by teammate Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
After the early double-strike by Canada’s Jaskaran Singh, who dismissed Gurbaz (30) and Gulbadin Naib within the powerplay, Zadran anchored the innings with veteran composure earlier than exploding within the closing 5 overs. He discovered a perfect companion within the younger Sediqullah Atal, who smashed a quick-fire 44, permitting Zadran to systematically dismantle the Canadian death-bowling plan with 7 boundaries and 5 large sixes.
The pair added practically 100 runs for the third wicket, taking Afghanistan from a precarious middle-over lull to a frightening 200/4 by the shut of the twentieth over. Zadran’s potential to control the sector and goal the brief sq. boundaries left the Canadian bowlers, significantly Dilon Heyliger, in search of solutions because the Afghan complete soared previous the 190-mark.
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Mohammad Nabi’s four-wicket haul dismantles Canada in emotional farewell
Defending a mammoth 201, the ‘President’ Mohammad Nabi rolled again the years to ship a spin-bowling clinic, claiming 4/7 to make sure Canada by no means stood an opportunity within the chase. Nabi’s variations and immaculate management on the turning Chennai floor triggered a middle-order collapse from which the North American aspect by no means recovered, as they had been ultimately restricted to 118/9.
Whereas Harsh Thaker (30) and Shreyas Movva (28) confirmed transient resistance, the relentless strain utilized by Nabi and captain Rashid Khan, who remained uncharacteristically economical within the center overs, compelled a flurry of mistimed heaves and determined pictures. The Afghan fielding was equally impressed, with Rashid main from the entrance to impact two sharp catches that punctuated the dominance of the bowling unit.
Because the required run charge climbed towards the unattainable mark of 15 runs per over, the decrease order utterly crumbled beneath the lights, with Ziaur Rahman and Azmatullah Omarzai selecting up late wickets to seal the 82-run win. The ultimate wicket sparked emotional scenes on the sector because the gamers embraced coach Jonathan Trott, marking the top of a golden interval in Afghan cricket that noticed them rise from Affiliate friends to international giant-killers.
Right here’s how followers reacted:
Properly executed, Afghanistan. Ending off with a win. Your sport vs South Africa shall be remembered for a very long time. Many learnings from this World Cup for you. Go nicely, guys. 👏 @rashidkhan_19
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) February 19, 2026
Afghanistan ends their #T20WorldCup2026 marketing campaign on a optimistic be aware, beating Canada by 82 runs. Not the outing they’d have initially deliberate for, there weren’t many positives total. Time to replicate on what went mistaken and produce some elementary adjustments within the shorter…
— Bashir Gharwal غروال (@bashir_gharwall) February 19, 2026
At present marks the top of a defining chapter for Afghanistan cricket as coach Jonathan Trott leads Afghanistan for the ultimate time.
When Jonathan Trot took on the position of head coach, he introduced expertise, perception, and calm management. Underneath his steering, Afghanistan didn’t simply… pic.twitter.com/6lHmZOdaDo
— Wazhma Ayoubi 🇦🇫 (@WazhmaAyoubi) February 19, 2026
Ibrahim Zadran –
129 runs in opposition to Australia in World Cup 2023
177 in opposition to England in Champions Trophy
95 runs in opposition to Canada in T-20 World CupHe is excellent participant with aesthetic pictures pic.twitter.com/lAbCCV5JgJ
— Sunil The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) February 19, 2026
Lol, Nabi registers greatest bowling figures in what might be his final T20I for Afghanistan. 4/7 in 4 overs. Might have been a 5-fer had Gurbaz not dropped that catch in his final over.
— JC (@jc_writes_) February 19, 2026
WHAT A KNOCK BY IBRAHIM ZADRAN. 👏
– 95* (56) in opposition to Canada within the closing sport of this T20 World Cup for Afghanistan. 🇦🇫 pic.twitter.com/IefOoyl9ct
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 19, 2026
What a Spell. Profession Finest T20I Bowling figures for M Nabi 4/7#AFGvCAN #T20WorldCup @MohammadNabi007
— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan) February 19, 2026
Mohammad Nabi gonna play yet one more T20 WC with at present’s bowling kerdo 😬😬
— Raghul Krishnamoorthy (@RaghulKrishnam3) February 19, 2026
Excellent Spell By Mohammad Nabi. 4 Wickets For 7 Runs in 4 Overs. Harmful Spell. Would’ve Acquired The Fifer If Rahmanullah Gurbaz Took That Catch
— Aryan Goel (@Aryan42832Goel) February 19, 2026
Afghanistan received by 82 runs 🔥#cricket #AFGvCAN #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/sszdRJZRfE
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 19, 2026
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