New Zealand booked their place in the Super 8s in dominant style as Glenn Phillips produced a blistering knock to dismantle Canada’s resistance, sealing an eight-wicket victory with plenty to spare. In a match that briefly promised a contest, Phillips’ record-breaking fifty ensured the Black Caps cruised home with authority.
Chasing a competitive target of 174 in a must-win clash, New Zealand found themselves under early pressure after losing two wickets inside the powerplay. But what followed was a masterclass in counter-attacking cricket. Phillips and Rachin Ravindra combined in a stunning, unbeaten partnership that flipped the game on its head and erased any hopes of a Canadian upset.
Phillips was ruthless once he found his rhythm. Mixing innovation with raw power, he tore through the bowling attack, bringing up the fastest fifty ever by a New Zealand batter in T20 World Cup history. His unbeaten 76 off just 36 deliveries turned a tense chase into a procession, as boundaries flowed freely to all parts of the ground.
Ravindra played the perfect foil at the other end. Calm, composed, and precise, he ensured the required rate never climbed out of reach. His unbeaten 59 provided stability while Phillips launched the decisive blows, and the pair’s unbroken 146-run stand ended the contest well before the final overs.
Earlier in the evening, Canada had enjoyed a historic high thanks to a remarkable innings from teenage sensation Yuvraj Samra. The 19-year-old announced himself on the world stage with a magnificent century, becoming the youngest player to score a hundred in T20 World Cup history. His fluent strokeplay and fearless approach lifted Canada to 173 for 4 and gave them genuine belief.
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Samra shared a record-breaking opening stand with captain Dilpreet Bajwa, punishing anything short or wide and showing maturity beyond his years. However, Canada’s inability to accelerate in the closing overs proved costly, leaving just enough room for New Zealand’s firepower to strike back.
With the win, New Zealand finished the group stage with momentum and confidence, underlining their credentials as serious contenders. Canada, despite remaining winless, leave the tournament with a moment to remember — a historic hundred that signaled a bright future on the global stage.
