Afghanistan showcased their potential with a remarkable T20 World Cup performance, culminating in an emphatic 82-run victory against Canada. Opener Ibrahim Zadran led from the front, scoring a commanding 95 not out in his 56-ball innings to guide Afghanistan to a formidable total of 200-4, setting up a high-stakes encounter that would determine their fate.
Zadran’s performance was complemented by Afghan bowlers, notably veteran spinners Mohammad Nabi and Abdul Razak, who recorded Canada at bay with an impressive T20-best figures of 4-7. This display from the bowling unit sealed Afghanistan’s narrow win against a competitive Canadian side.
While this victory brought them one step closer to their goal, it also served as a testament to their resilience after a series of disappointments during the tournament. The Afghan team managed two wins in four matches but fell short of securing qualification for the Super Eights stage due to New Zealand’s dominance over South Africa in their group.
Afghanistan’s captain Rashid Khan acknowledged their readiness for the competition, stating, “We were well prepared and had a great chance at it, but we were caught off guard by our loss against South Africa.”
Despite these setbacks, Afghanistan demonstrated impressive form toward the end of their campaign. Zadran’s half-century and the 95-run stand with Sediqullah Atal underscored their collective strength as they bid farewell to former England coach Jonathan Trott, who took over in July 2022.
Canada’s performance was notably underwhelming, managing only a single victory across four matches. Their failure to progress further highlighted how far they had fallen from the early promise displayed by Zadran and his teammates.