Canada jolted Group D into life on Tuesday in Chennai by posting 173/4 after choosing to bat, setting a serious test for the New Zealand as the Super Eight race tightens.
Group D now crackles with uncertainty. Only South Africa sit comfortably, while Afghanistan and United Arab Emirates quietly hope Canada keep tearing up the script.
Canada set the tone early. They raced to 50 without loss in the powerplay and squeezed 18 runs out of the sixth over. That start denied New Zealand any early grip on the innings.
Yuvraj Samra owned the night. The left-hander tore into James Neesham with three straight fours before launching a six over deep cover. The strokeplay felt fearless and deliberate.
Samra then stepped into history. At just 19, he became the youngest player to score a hundred in a men’s T20 or ODI World Cup, reaching three figures from 58 balls with a boundary. The moment landed like a thunderclap in Group D.
He finally fell late in the innings after a stunning 110 from 65 balls. By then, Canada had already bent the match in their favour. The damage stayed done.
New Zealand fielded under altered leadership. Daryl Mitchell captained the side with Mitchell Santner sidelined through illness. That disruption now meets a demanding chase.
