Afghanistan, placed in Group D along with other giants of the shortest format of the game, are all set to take on the Canadian team, who have not won a single match in this edition of the World Cup. Afghanistan now have no chance after New Zealand defeated Canada to register their third win in the competition and enter the Super-8.
Rashid Khan-led Afghanistan team will take on Dilpreet Bajwa-led Canada team at the prestigious MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai for the 39th match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Canada is still looking for its first win in this World Cup.
The following article contains a detailed preview of the ICC T20 World Cup match between Afghanistan and Canada. The article includes probable playing XI, weather report, head-to-head record, key players clash and MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch report.
AFG vs CAN T20 World Cup Match Preview:
Match date: The Afghanistan vs Canada match will be played on Thursday 19 February.
venue: This match will be held at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Time: The match is scheduled to start at 7:00 pm Indian time.
AFG vs CAN Full Squad:
Afghanistan squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Umarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan (captain), Noor Ahmed, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Fazalhaq Farooqui, Shahidullah Kamal, Mohammad Ishaq, Ziaur Rehman Sharifi, Abdullah Ahmadzai.
Canada Squad: Dilpreet Bajwa (captain), Ajayveer Hundal, Shreyas Movva, Jaskarandeep Singh, Kaleem Sana, Kanwarpal Tathgur, Navneet Dhaliwal, Ansh Patel, Dilon Heiliger, Harsh Thakar, Ravinderpal Singh, Saad Bin Zafar, Shivam Sharma, Nicholas Kirton and Yuvraj Samra.
AFG vs CAN Probable XI:
Afghanistan’s playing XI: Rehmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Umarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Darwish Rasooli, Rashid Khan (captain), Noor Ahmed, Mujeeb Ur Rehman and Fazalhaq Farooqui.
Canada Probable Playing XI: Yuvraj Samra, Dilpreet Bajwa (captain), Navneet Dhaliwal, Harsh Thaker, Shreyas Movva, Nicholas Kirton, Jaskarandeep Singh, Saad Bin Zafar, Dilan Heiliger, Ansh Patel and Kaleem Sana.
Key battles of AFG vs CAN T20 World Cup match:
Yuvraj Samra vs Mujeeb Ur Rahman:
Canada’s rising young opening batsman Yuvraj Samra became the first player from the US region to score a century in the ICC T20 World Cup. His century came in the last game against New Zealand, and will be very important for them as they look for their first win in the tournament. Mujeeb Ur Rahman has been their best spinner in the World Cup and can do well with the ball to dismiss the Canadian opener.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz vs Saad Bin Zafar:
Afghanistan’s most in-form batsman, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, has been right on the money for the T20 World Cup 2024 semi-finalists. Despite his stellar performances, Gurbaz could not lead them to wins against New Zealand and South Africa. In-form Canadian spinner Saad Bin Zafar has performed brilliantly with the ball despite the team lagging behind in the tournament. Despite being a staunch white-ball striker, the spinner could dismiss the Afghan opener.
Azmatullah Umarzai vs Kaleem Sana:
Another big name in the Afghan lineup. Azmatullah Umarzai, talented all-rounder. Has performed with both bat and ball. Therefore, Kaleem Sana will be crucial for Canada with the new ball; However, he can make a comeback during the middle phase and play a vital role against Azmatullah, who often bats for him in the middle and death overs.
AFG vs CAN Key Players:
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rashid Khan, Ibrahim Zadran, Fazalhaq Farooqui, Mujeeb Ur Rehman
Canada’s leading players: Dilpreet Bajwa, Yuvraj Samra, Nicholas Kirton, Saad Bin Zafar and Kaleem Sana
AFG vs CAN T20 World Cup Match – Live Streaming Details
AFG vs CAN Broadcast in India: The Afghanistan vs Canada match will be telecast live on Star Sports Network across India.
Online Live Streaming in India: ICC T20 World Cup 2026 matches can be live streamed on Jio HotStar app with an active subscription.
Weather and Pitch Report of AFG vs CAN T20 World Cup Match – Chennai
AFG vs CAN: Weather Report in Chennai:
According to AccuWeather, rain will not hinder the game; Therefore, the full 40 overs game can be played between these two teams. In addition, as the night gets longer, the temperature will drop slightly, and the dew factor often plays a major role, making it difficult to defend the set goal.
AFG vs CAN Pitch Report at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai:
This pitch does not provide good batting conditions at Chidambaram Stadium. Due to the cracks, this position often favors spinners more than seamers, which often makes spin bowling unpredictable. This track is also widely known for spinners, as it often grips and turns here, and hence, despite dew coming later in the game, teams chasing here often find it difficult.
AFG vs CAN Head-to-Head Records:
Afghanistan was also once considered a Dalit; However, they have turned around their reputation as a promising team. Afghanistan has played three matches with Canada in the shortest format of the game. Afghanistan won two of these games, including one ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier game.
|
match |
Afghanistan won |
canada won |
Drag |
no results |
|
overall |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
|
In T20 World Cup |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
in the last 5 matches |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
AFG vs CAN T20 World Cup Match – Conclusion:
Considering all the parameters, Afghanistan are lopsided favorites in the clash between them and Canada. The game seems to be completely one-sided; However, none of these sides could advance to the next stage of the tournament, as South Africa and New Zealand have already qualified from this group. The last-time semi-finalists will be looking to end this year’s campaign on a high note with a consolation win against Canada in their last game of the T20 World Cup group-stage.
Also read: Yashasvi Jaiswal ready to leave Rajasthan Royals after being deprived of captaincy? “Quite possible”
