AFG vs CAN brings the curtain down on Group D stage action at MA Chidambaram Stadium on February 19. Two teams arrive here from completely different emotional places.
In the Afghanistan vs. Canada cricket match, one team is recovering from a Super Over loss while the other is aiming for their maiden World Cup victory. Rashid Khan’s men have fallen at the last hurdle twice already this campaign and need a strong finish to rebuild confidence.
Fans across South Asia can watch Afghanistan vs. Canada live action on Star Sports and Jio Hotstar from 7 PM IST. This fixture carries genuine stakes beyond the scoreboard.
Afghanistan vs Canada T20 ends Navneet Dhaliwal’s international career, tests Yuvraj Samra’s consistency after his stunning century, and shapes how both squads head into their next cycle. Every Afghanistan vs. Canada prediction points toward the Asian giants, yet Canada’s talented and determined youngsters never make life simple for anyone.
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Afghanistan vs Canada T20 World Cup Match Details
- Match: Afghanistan vs. Canada, Match 39 (Group D)
- Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM IST (13:30 GMT)
- Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, India
- Live Streaming (India): Star Sports (TV) and JioHotstar (Digital)
- Head-to-Head (T20Is): Afghanistan 2, Canada 0
- Ticket Booking: Tickets are available online through BookMyShow.
Pitch Report and Conditions
Chepauk carries a long reputation as a spin-friendly surface, and the numbers back it up. Spinners account for over 51% of wickets at this ground across T20 history. Yet pacers have edged them in recent tournament matches through cutters and clever slower balls at the death.
The average first-innings score across the last five matches at this venue sits at around 160, with 170-plus considered genuinely competitive rather than routine. USA posted 199 for 4 here against Namibia, the highest total at Chepauk in this 2026 edition.
Bat-first teams have won 60% of T20 matches at the venue overall. Tonight’s 7 PM start brings dew into play from the second innings, easing the surface for the chasing side. Both captains will want to bowl first after winning the toss.
Team News
Afghanistan hold a settled squad with no injury concerns reported ahead of this fixture. Rashid Khan keeps faith in his tried and tested eleven from the South Africa game. Canada send out Navneet Dhaliwal in his final international appearance.
The 37-year-old former captain plays his last match at this level. No other changes are expected from either camp.
Probable Playing XIs
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (capt), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Ziaur Rahman
Canada: Dilpreet Bajwa (capt), Yuvraj Samra, Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Shreyas Movva (wk), Harsh Thaker, Saad Bin Zafar, Jaskaran Singh, Dilon Heyliger, Shivam Sharma, Ansh Patel
3 Tactical Keys
1. Gurbaz must fire at the top. Afghanistan need an explosive powerplay. Gurbaz fell inches short against South Africa in a crushing Super Over finish. He comes into this game wounded but hungry. A quick start dismantles Canada’s thin bowling attack before they settle.
2. Afghanistan’s spin trio targets the middle overs. Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad form a suffocating spin axis. Canada’s middle order struggled against quality turn throughout this tournament. If Afghanistan post a total above 170, those three spinners win the game in overs nine through sixteen.
3. Yuvraj Samra must anchor Canada’s innings. The 19-year-old centurion carries his team’s batting hopes. If Rashid removes him early, Canada’s chase collapses fast. Canada’s best chance of a win rests entirely on Samra building a long, aggressive partnership through the powerplay with Bajwa.
Players to Watch
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz enters this game carrying visible frustration from the South Africa defeat. He struck the turf with his bat after his dismissal ended Afghanistan’s Super Over hopes. Hunger drives him today. Expect him to attack from ball one and target the Chepauk boundaries with intent.
- Yuvraj Samra became the youngest batter to score a T20 World Cup century in the previous match. The teenager plays without fear or restraint. He reads pace bowling well and punishes anything short or full. Rashid must plan his dismissal carefully and bring his best variations early.
- Navneet Dhaliwal brings emotional weight to this fixture. Canada’s all-time leading T20I run scorer ends his international career on Thursday. Dhaliwal helped qualify Canada for their first T20 World Cup in 2024. He battles for one final memory at the highest level.
- Rashid Khan leads with both the captaincy and the ball. He remains Afghanistan’s most dangerous weapon regardless of match situation or surface. Canada’s lower order holds no answer to his googly when he bowls with a set field and full confidence.
Match Prediction
Afghanistan win this contest. Their batting depth, superior spin attack and experience at this level separates the two sides.
Canada produce moments of brilliance but cannot sustain them across twenty overs against this Afghanistan bowling unit. Afghanistan wrap up the tournament with a win and hand Nabi a fitting send-off if retirement follows.
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