AFG vs CAN Live Score, T20 World Cup 2026: Afghanistan beat Canada by 82 runs

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Tough task ahead - Canada's road to ending the campaign with a win has just gotten a lot more difficult. According to the broadcasters, there isn't any dew yet. This will help Afghanistan get a bit more out of the surface but Canada have a couple of in-form batters and will have to believe that they can go on and make 201 runs. Should be an exciting run chase. Stay tuned.

The player of the moment, IBRAHIM ZADRAN - Zadran is barely able to catch his breath but manages to spare a few words to share with Katey Martin. On being asked about his knock, Ibrahim first thanks the almighty and says that it was a good innings. Details that he wanted to enjoy himself. Adds that earlier, he was not able to play such strokes but wanted to go deep into the innings. Martin asks him at what time he started thinking about his 100. To which Zadran replies that it was not on his mind. However, he adds that during the warmup, skipper Rashid Khan had said that Afghanistan don't have a centurion in this World Cup, so he wanted the batters to enjoy their skills and try for the hundred. IZ asserts that he did try but could not get it. However, he is happy with the total posted on the board by the team. On the batting plan, Ibrahim Zadran says that the plan was pretty simple. Details that it was targeting the bowlers over by over and building a partnership. Ends by saying that he wanted to communicate to the new batter to go at 6 runs an over initially and then play your big shots.

Canada's struggle with the ball continues - Prior to this game, Canada had only taken 11 wickets in their first 3 games, with only 3 of those going to the pacers. They did turn a corner in terms of their pacers getting into the wickets column but it was mainly Jaskarandeep Singh who gave it his all and picked up 3 wickets, with Dilon Heyliger getting the other breakthrough. They also dropped crucial catches and the spinners couldn't make any sort of a mark in the game. 

Ibrahim's day out - What a knock from Ibrahim Zadran, he just seems like such a quality player and he certainly is Afghanistan's most consistent batter. A record-extending 16th T20I half-century for Afghanistan, but unfortunately, he misses out on the three-figure mark by just 5 runs. The tone was set up top by Ibrahim and Rahmanullah Gurbaz with a quickfire 47-run stand. Then a big steady stand in the middle overs between Zadran and Sediqullah Atal, worth 95 runs, really took things up a notch for the Afghans. Zadran finished off with a flourish as Afghanistan racked up 69 runs in the last 5 overs to breach the 200-run mark in a T20 World Cup game for the first time.

Making a statement with the bat - Afghanistan have really put on a show at Chepauk and have piled on 200 runs on the board. About 18,500 fans are inside the stadium for this game, as mentioned by the on-air commentators and they seem to be getting their money's worth.

Jaskarandeep Singh to Ibrahim Zadran, FOUR MORE! Full, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran reaches out and drills it through the covers! 79 runs in the last 6 overs and AFGHANISTAN FINISH ON EXACTLY 200, WITH 4 WICKETS DOWN!

Jaskarandeep Singh to Ibrahim Zadran, FOUR! UP AND OVER! A short ball, wide outside off, Ibrahim stays back and throwing his bat at it, gets it over point for a boundary!

Jaskarandeep Singh to Ibrahim Zadran, Quicker ball, a full toss, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran swings but misses the ball!

Jaskarandeep Singh to Darwish Rasooli, For all those kids who grew up in the 90s, we used to see an advert on TV, which said, 'Goes on and on and on'. This is something similar to that. Full and outside off, excellent change of pace, Darwish swings wildly but misses. The batters go for a bye and the keeper has a shy at the striker's end. Ibrahim is well in, but the ball deflects towards mid-wicket. So the batters go for the overthrow. Now, the fielder charges in from long on and fires a throw at the bowling end and hits the stumps there too! Guess what, even that deflects away to the sweeper at cover and the batters take the third! This time, there is no direct hit.

Jaskarandeep Singh to Darwish Rasooli, WIDE. Full and miles outside off, left alone.

Jaskarandeep Singh to Darwish Rasooli, Mistimed, but safe. A short ball, outside off, pace off, Darwish Rasooli jumps down the track and throws his bat at it. Is early and skews it off the top edge in the air. The ball lands in vacant space beyond cover and the batters return for a second.

Jaskarandeep Singh to Ibrahim Zadran, On a length, outside off, drilled through the covers for a single.

Final over then. Afghanistan need 15 runs to reach the 200-mark. Ibrahim needs 14 for a century.

Dilon Heyliger to Ibrahim Zadran, On a length, outside off, pace off, Zadran pulls it through mid-wicket for one. 10 from the over, 64 in the last 5!

Dilon Heyliger to Ibrahim Zadran, SIX! My word. This guy is a real treat to watch. How has that gone all the way? Full and wide outside off, Ibrahim Zadran reaches out and uses all his wrists to carve it over cover. The ball goes flat but with full power to clear the ropes!

Dilon Heyliger to Darwish Rasooli, Another short ball, outside off, Rasooli pulls it through mid-wicket for one.

Dilon Heyliger to Ibrahim Zadran, Excellent yorker, at the toes, Ibrahim Zadran manages to dig it out through square leg for a run.

11 balls left. Afghanistan need 25 more for the 200-mark. Darwish Rasooli walks in next, at number 6, replacing Azmatullah Omarzai.

Dilon Heyliger to Darwish Rasooli, A short ball, outside off, Darwish Rasooli pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.

Dilon Heyliger to Azmatullah Omarzai, OUT! CAUGHT! Another catch is taken. Azmat falls for an unlucky 13. A short ball, outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai goes for the pull and swings it pretty well. But the ball is at a good height and hence, he cannot find enough elevation. The ball goes flat towards long on and Harsh Thaker actually takes a smart catch near the ropes. A quickfire 31-run stand is broken.

Has Sana returned in time? He hobbled off the field after the 17th over. Don't think so. Dilon Heyliger will bowl the 19th over. 3-0-31-0 so far. The captain has a long chat with the umpire regarding something.

Jaskarandeep Singh to Ibrahim Zadran, On a length, outside off, Zadran has a hack and the ball goes off the inner half of the bat through mid-wicket. Two more runs to the total. 15 from the over, 54 in the last 4!

Jaskarandeep Singh to Azmatullah Omarzai, Outside off, pushed through the covers for a run.

Jaskarandeep Singh to Azmatullah Omarzai, SIX! SMASH! Straight back down the ground! Full, outside off, Omarzai gets down on a knee and swings it cleanly over the bowler, for a biggie near the sightscreen!

Jaskarandeep Singh to Azmatullah Omarzai, On a length, outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai reaches out and slices it over point for a couple.

Jaskarandeep Singh to Azmatullah Omarzai, ANOTHER WIDE. Jaskaran goes fuller, but this is way too far outside off. Is left alone.

Jaskarandeep Singh to Azmatullah Omarzai, WIDE. A bumper outside off, too high and it is left alone.

Jaskarandeep Singh to Ibrahim Zadran, A bit too straight, on the pads, Ibrahim Zadran flicks it behind square leg for a run.

Jaskarandeep Singh to Azmatullah Omarzai, On a good length, outside off, punched through the covers for a single.

Another one going off now. It is Kaleem Sana who is seen heading off the field. He still has an over left.

Kaleem Sana to Ibrahim Zadran, TOP EDGE, LANDS SAFELY! The rub of the green is going the way of the Blue. A short ball, around off, hurrying the batter for pace, Ibrahim goes for the pull. But he gets a top edge which goes in the air. However, it lands in no human's land outside the 30-yard circle at mid-wicket! Two runs taken. 14 from the over, 39 in the last 3!

Kaleem Sana to Azmatullah Omarzai, On a length, outside off, Omarzai punches it through mid off for a run.

Kaleem Sana to Ibrahim Zadran, On middle and off, worked through mid-wicket for another brace.

Kaleem Sana to Ibrahim Zadran, A touch short, around middle and off, Zadran swivels and pulls it through mid-wicket for a couple.

Kaleem Sana to Ibrahim Zadran, TWO BYES. Keeper's fault. A slower ball, around middle and leg, Zadran swings early but misses. The ball goes past the stumps to the keeper, but he is not able to stop it to his left. It rolls behind and the batters take a couple.

Kaleem Sana to Ibrahim Zadran, SIX! The boundaries keep coming. Short, around middle, no pace to work with, Ibrahim Zadran pulls this magnificently over square leg. Moves to 70 (43).

Jaskarandeep Singh to Azmatullah Omarzai, Full, outside off, driven through the covers for a couple. As if he has carried his form from the last 2 years right into this match. Starts off in style. 15 runs from the over, but Jaskaran manages a wicket to get something off it.

So that's 4 catching opportunities, with 2 taken. An efficiency of 50 percent. Azmatullah Omarzai walks in next, at number 5, replacing Sediqullah Atal.

Jaskarandeep Singh to Sediqullah Atal, OUT! CAUGHT! Sigh of relief for the Canada fans. This catch is taken. A short ball, outside off, banging it into the middle of the deck, Sediqullah Atal goes for the pull but the ball holds on the pitch a touch. As a result, he gets it off the higher part of the bat. Does not have control and hence, does not have the distance. There is elevation though and the ball goes in the air. Dilon Heyliger gets across to his right from deep mid-wicket and takes the catch. Not the most fluent of knocks from Atal but his contribution will be well noted in a stand of 95. AFGHANISTAN ARE 144/3 AFTER 15.5 OVERS!

Jaskarandeep Singh to Sediqullah Atal, Full, around middle and leg, Sediqullah works it through mid on and charges back for the second.

Jaskarandeep Singh to Sediqullah Atal, SIX! STUPENDOUS! A short ball, outside off, Sediqullah Atal accepts the freebie on the Free Hit and pulls it over mid-wicket for an 85-metre hit! The stand moves to 93 (58), with Atal contributing 42 (30) of those!

Oh dear. The siren goes off and that means, the bowler has overstepped! NO BALL signalled. FREE HIT time!

Jaskarandeep Singh to Sediqullah Atal, A short ball, around off, SA goes for the pull, but the ball gets big on him. Goes off the top edge towards long on, but lands just outside the 30-yard circle. By the time long on can get to the ball, the batters return for the second.

Jaskarandeep Singh to Ibrahim Zadran, On a length, outside off, punched straight to point for a run.

Jaskarandeep Singh to Sediqullah Atal, Short, around off, punched towards long off for a single.

What's happening outside? Navneet Dhaliwal, who is playing his final international game, is going off the field! Hope it's not anything serious and he comes back in time to finish the game properly. Jaskarandeep Singh, the only successful bowler tonight, returns. 1-0-10-2 so far.

Ansh Patel to Sediqullah Atal, Outside off, eased down to long on for one. 10 runs from the over, but could have been so different if not for that drop.

Ansh Patel to Sediqullah Atal, Full, outside off, Atal looks to play the reverse sweep but misses. The keeper puts in a shout for the catch but the umpire shakes his head.

Ansh Patel to Ibrahim Zadran, Outside off, driven through the covers for a single.