Afghanistan said a sentimental and clinical farewell to the outgoing head coach, Jonathan Trottsecuring a dominant 82-run victory over Canada On February 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium T20 World Cup 2026. The victory was built on a record-breaking batting performance, Afghanistan’s highest in the 2026 edition, followed by a masterful spin display under the Chennai lights.
Although both teams have already been eliminated from Super 8 contention, the match marked Trott’s transformative four-year tenure. The result sees Afghanistan finish third in the Group of Death, leaving the competition with their heads held high and a clear plan for the ODI World Cup 2027.
Ibrahim Zadra’s record-breaking 95* took Afghanistan to 200
The first innings in Chennai was all about Ibrahim ZadranA masterclass in controlled aggression to finish with an unbeaten 95 off just 64 balls. Zadra’s knock was historic and surpassed his teammate’s previous record, marking the highest individual score by an Afghan batsman in T20 World Cup history. Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
After an early double blow by Canada Jaskaran SinghWHO He fired Gurbaz (30) and Gulbedin Naib on the power play, Zadran anchored the innings with veteran composure before exploding in the final five. He found an ideal partner in youngster Sediqullah Atal, who fired a quickfire 44, allowing Zadran to systematically dismantle Canada’s death-bowling plan with 7 boundaries and 5 massive sixes.
The pair added close to 100 runs for the third wicket and lifted Afghanistan from a perilous middle-order lull to 200/4 by the end of the 20th over. Zadra’s ability to manipulate the field and target the short square boundaries especially left the Canadian bowlers. Dylan HeyligerAs the total number of Afghans exceeds 190, he is looking for answers.
Mohammad Nabi’s four-pointer rips Canada apart in an emotional farewell
“President” Defending Mammoth 201 Muhammad Nabi He rolled back the years to deliver a spin-bowling clinic, claiming 4/7 to ensure Canada never had a chance to chase. Nabi’s variability and flawless control on the turning Chennai surface led to a middle-order collapse from which the North American side never recovered as they were eventually restricted to 118/9.
while Tough Thacker (30) and Shreyas Movva (28) offered a brief resistance, the relentless pressure applied by Nabi and the captain Rashid KhanRemained uncharacteristically frugal in mid-range passes, forcing ill-timed highs and desperate throws. The Afghan pitch was equally inspired, with Rashid leading the way to hit two crisp shots that broke the bowling unit’s dominance.
The lower order collapsed completely under lights as the required run rate climbed towards the impossible mark for 15 runs, Ziaur Rahman and Azmatullah Omarzai He picked up late wickets to seal an 82-run victory. The final wicket sparked emotional scenes on the field as the players embraced coach Jonathan Trott, marking the end of a golden era in Afghan cricket that saw them rise from Associate peers to global giant killers.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Well, Afghanistan. Finish with a win. Your game against South Africa will be remembered for a long time. Lots of learnings for you from this World Cup. Well go guys. 👏 @rashidkhan_19
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) February 19, 2026
Afghanistan is their end #T20WorldCup2026 Campaign on a positive note, defeating Canada by 82 runs. Not the trip they originally planned, but overall there weren’t many positives. It’s time to think about what went wrong and make some major changes in the shorter term…
— Bashir Gharwal Gharwal (@bashir_gharwall) February 19, 2026
Today marks the end of a certain chapter for Afghanistan cricket as coach Jonathan Trott leads Afghanistan for the last time.
When Jonathan Trott took on the role of head coach, he brought experience, confidence and calm leadership. Under his leadership, Afghanistan not only… pic.twitter.com/6lHmZOdaDo
– Wazhma Ayoubi 🇦🇫 (@WazhmaAyoubi) February 19, 2026
Ibrahim Zadran –
129 runs against Australia in WC 2023
177 against England in the Champions Trophy
95 runs against Canada in T-20 World CupHe is a very good player with aesthetic shots pic.twitter.com/lAbCCV5JgJ
– Sunil the Cricketer (@1sInto2s) February 19, 2026
Yes, Nabi records the best bowling figures for Afghanistan in what could be the last T20I. 4/7 at 4. Gurbaz could have been 5th if he hadn’t dropped that catch last time.
— JC (@jc_writes_) February 19, 2026
WHAT HAS BEEN CAPTURED FROM IBRAHIM ZADRAN. 👏
– 95* (56) for Afghanistan against Canada in this T20 World Cup final. 🇦🇫 pic.twitter.com/IefOoyl9ct
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 19, 2026
What magic. Career Best T20I Bowling figures for M Nabi 4/7#AFGvCAN #T20WorldCup @MohammadNabi007
— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan) February 19, 2026
Mohammad Nabi will play another T20 WC with today’s bowling kerdo 😬😬
— Raghul Krishnamoorthy (@RaghulKrishnam3) February 19, 2026
Outstanding magic by Muhammad Nabi. 4 Wickets for 7 Runs in 4 Runs. Dangerous magic. Rahmanullah Gurbaz I would have bought Fifer if he had caught it
— Aryan Goel (@Aryan42832Goel) February 19, 2026
Afghanistan won by 82 runs 🔥#cricket #AFGvCAN #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/sszdRJZRfE
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 19, 2026
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