Canadian prodigy tons up but New Zealand reach Super 8s

Canada’s Yuvraj Samra became the first player from an associate nation to construct a T20 World Cup hundred but it was not enough to stop them from suffering an eight-wicket defeat to New Zealand, who booked their place in the Super 8 phase.

Samra made 110 off 65 balls in a knock which featured 11 fours and six sixes as his majestic knock helped Canada post 173-4. The teenager, hailing from Brampton in Ontario, brought up his hundred off 58 balls as he eclipsed the previous top score by an associate player – 94* by the USA’s Aaron Jones against Canada at the last World Cup.

At 19 years and 141 days, he also became the youngest-ever T20 World Cup centurion, beating Pakistan Ahmed Shehzad’s (22 years and 127 days) against Bangladesh in 2014.

New Zealand had a wobble early in the chase when they lost Tim Seifert and Finn Allen in quick succession and slipped to 30-2. However, Canada’s bowlers were unable to drive home the advantage and an unscathed146-run stand for the third wicket between Rachin Ravindra and Phillips got them home with 29 balls to spare.

Phillips top-scored with a brutal 76 not out of 36 balls while Ravindra finished unbeaten with 59 off 39 deliveries. New Zealand’s victory sent them through and eliminated Canada in addition to the UAE and Afghanistan.

Canada 173-4 (20 overs): Samra 110 (65); Duffy 1-25

New Zealand 176-2 (15.2 overs): Phillips 76* (36), Ravindra 59* (39)