Fans react as Afghanistan end T20 World Cup 2026 with 82-run win over Canada in head coach Jonathan Trott’s farewell game

Afghanistan provided a sentimental and clinical farewell to their departing head coach, Jonathan Trott, by securing a dominant 82-run victory over Canada at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on February 19 in T20 World Cup 2026.  The victory was built on a record-breaking batting performance that saw Afghanistan post their highest total of the 2026 edition, followed by a masterful spin display under the Chennai lights.

Although both teams had already been eliminated from Super 8 contention, the match served as a poignant tribute to Trott’s transformative four-year tenure. This result ensures Afghanistan finishes third in the ‘Group of Death,’ leaving the competition with their heads held high and a clear blueprint for the ODI World Cup 2027.

Ibrahim Zadran’s record-breaking 95* propels Afghanistan to 200

The first innings in Chennai belonged entirely to Ibrahim Zadran, who produced a masterclass in controlled aggression to finish with an unbeaten 95 off just 64 balls. Zadran’s innings was a historic one, marking the highest individual score by an Afghan batter in T20 World Cup history, surpassing the previous record held by teammate Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

After the early double-strike by Canada’s Jaskaran Singh, who dismissed Gurbaz (30) and Gulbadin Naib in the powerplay, Zadran anchored the innings with veteran composure before exploding in the final five overs. He found an ideal partner in the young Sediqullah Atal, who smashed a quick-fire 44, allowing Zadran to systematically dismantle the Canadian death-bowling plan with 7 boundaries and 5 massive sixes.

The pair added nearly 100 runs for the third wicket, taking Afghanistan from a precarious middle-over lull to a daunting 200/4 by the close of the 20th over. Zadran’s ability to manipulate the field and target the short square boundaries left the Canadian bowlers, particularly Dilon Heyliger, looking for answers as the Afghan total soared past the 190-mark.

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Mohammad Nabi’s four-wicket haul dismantles Canada in emotional farewell

Defending a mammoth 201, the ‘President’ Mohammad Nabi rolled back the years to deliver a spin-bowling clinic, claiming 4/7 to ensure Canada never stood a chance in the chase. Nabi’s variations and immaculate control on the turning Chennai surface triggered a middle-order collapse from which the North American side never recovered, as they were eventually restricted to 118/9.

While Harsh Thaker (30) and Shreyas Movva (28) showed brief resistance, the relentless pressure applied by Nabi and captain Rashid Khan, who remained uncharacteristically economical in the middle overs, forced a flurry of mistimed heaves and desperate shots. The Afghan fielding was equally inspired, with Rashid leading from the front to effect two sharp catches that punctuated the dominance of the bowling unit.

As the required run rate climbed toward the impossible mark of 15 runs per over, the lower order completely crumbled under the lights, with Ziaur Rahman and Azmatullah Omarzai picking up late wickets to seal the 82-run win. The final wicket sparked emotional scenes on the field as the players embraced coach Jonathan Trott, marking the end of a golden period in Afghan cricket that saw them rise from Associate peers to global giant-killers.

Here’s how fans reacted:

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