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CHENNAI: New Zealand stormed into the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after a commanding eight-wicket victory over Canada at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday.
Chasing a challenging target of 174, New Zealand completed the task with remarkable ease, reaching 176-2 in just 15.1 overs, powered by a match-defining partnership between Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra.
The Blackcaps made a steady start through openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen, who added 30 runs before Canada struck back with quick wickets.
Seifert departed for six, while Allen’s brisk 21 off eight balls, featuring two fours and a six, ended soon after.
Ravindra and Phillips then took control, combining caution with aggression in a brilliant 100-run stand that put New Zealand firmly on course.
Phillips led the charge with a scintillating unbeaten 76 off 36 deliveries, smashing four boundaries and six sixes to register his 12th T20I half-century.
Ravindra provided solid support with 59 off 39 balls, including four fours and three sixes, bringing up his fourth T20I fifty as New Zealand sealed a comprehensive win.
Earlier, Canada posted a competitive 173-4 thanks to a superb century from Yuvraj Samra.
Opting to bat first, Canada enjoyed a strong start as Samra and skipper Dilpreet Bajwa stitched together a 116-run opening partnership.
Bajwa contributed 36 off 39 deliveries before falling in the 14th over, but Samra carried on in sublime fashion, scoring a magnificent 110 off 65 balls with 11 fours before being dismissed in the final over.
