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The Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Canada National Cricket Team matches showcase the development of two teams that have worked hard to establish themselves in international cricket. Afghanistan have become a major force in limited-overs cricket, while Canada continue to compete on the international stage and develop players through global tournaments.
The teams have faced each other in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). Their encounters include close finishes, high-scoring games, and convincing victories. Afghanistan have generally dominated the head-to-head record, including their 82-run victory over Canada in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Afghanistan vs Canada Head-to-Head Record
Across the eight recorded men’s international matches in the ODI and T20I head-to-head record, Afghanistan have won seven games, while Canada have won one.
| Format | Matches | Afghanistan wins | Canada wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| T20I | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Total | 8 | 7 | 1 |
Afghanistan have won all three recorded T20Is against Canada. Their ODI rivalry has been more competitive, with Canada recording one victory in five matches.
These figures cover the recorded ODI and T20I meetings in this head-to-head dataset. Older associate-team competitions and other historical matches may be classified separately, so the total can differ across cricket statistics websites.
Afghanistan vs Canada Match Results and Timeline
The following table summarises the eight recorded ODI and T20I encounters between the men’s national teams.
| Date | Format | Match result |
|---|---|---|
| 19 February 2026 | T20I | Afghanistan won by 82 runs |
| 18 March 2012 | T20I | Afghanistan won by 41 runs |
| 9 August 2011 | ODI | Afghanistan won by 17 runs |
| 7 August 2011 | ODI | Afghanistan won by 2 wickets under the DLS method |
| 1 July 2010 | ODI | Afghanistan won by 6 wickets |
| 18 February 2010 | ODI | Canada won by 4 wickets |
| 16 February 2010 | ODI | Afghanistan won by 1 run |
| 4 February 2010 | T20I | Afghanistan won by 5 wickets |
The results show Afghanistan’s consistent success in this matchup. However, Canada’s four-wicket victory in February 2010 and the one-run finish two days earlier demonstrate that the rivalry has also featured closely contested games.
Latest Match: Afghanistan vs Canada in the 2026 T20 World Cup
The latest major meeting took place on 19 February 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, India, during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Canada won the toss and elected to field. Afghanistan responded with an impressive batting performance, scoring 200/4 in their allotted 20 overs. Canada managed 118/8 in reply, giving Afghanistan an 82-run victory.
Afghanistan batting scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Ibrahim Zadran | 95 | 56 |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 30 | 20 |
| Afghanistan total | 200/4 | 20 overs |
Ibrahim Zadran was the standout batter, scoring 95 runs from 56 balls. His innings provided the foundation for Afghanistan’s total and helped the team maintain a strong scoring rate throughout the innings.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz also contributed 30 runs from 20 balls, helping Afghanistan establish momentum during the powerplay and early middle overs.
Afghanistan finished on 200/4, a challenging total for Canada to chase in a high-pressure World Cup fixture.
Canada batting scorecard
| Batter | Runs |
|---|---|
| Harsh Thaker | 30 |
| Saad Bin Zafar | 25 |
| Canada total | 118/8 |
Canada struggled to keep pace with the required run rate after losing early wickets. Harsh Thaker and Saad Bin Zafar provided contributions in the middle order, but the team could not build a partnership large enough to threaten Afghanistan’s total.
Canada finished on 118/8 in 20 overs, falling 82 runs short.
Afghanistan bowling performance
| Bowler | Figures |
|---|---|
| Mohammad Nabi | 4/7 |
| Rashid Khan | 2/19 |
Mohammad Nabi delivered an outstanding spell, taking four wickets for just seven runs. Rashid Khan added two wickets for 19 runs, further restricting Canada’s scoring options.
The combined impact of Afghanistan’s experienced spin bowlers made the chase extremely difficult. Afghanistan’s batting and bowling performances ensured that the team finished its tournament campaign with a convincing victory.
Player of the Match: Ibrahim Zadran, for his innings of 95 runs from 56 balls.
Afghanistan vs Canada ODI Matches
The teams played several important ODI encounters between 2010 and 2011. These matches were part of the period when Afghanistan were progressing through international cricket’s associate structure and building experience against established opponents.
Afghanistan won by one run in 2010
On 16 February 2010, Afghanistan scored 289/6, while Canada finished on 288/8. Afghanistan won by just one run in a high-scoring contest.
The narrow margin made this one of the most memorable results in the rivalry. Both teams scored heavily, but Afghanistan’s ability to defend a total of 289 proved decisive.
Canada won by four wickets
Two days later, on 18 February 2010, Canada responded with a victory of their own. Afghanistan were dismissed for 177, and Canada reached 178/6 to win by four wickets.
This result remains significant in the head-to-head record because it is Canada’s only victory among the eight recorded ODI and T20I matches listed here.
Afghanistan won by six wickets in July 2010
On 1 July 2010, Canada scored 257/7. Afghanistan chased the target successfully, reaching 258/4 and winning by six wickets.
The result highlighted Afghanistan’s developing batting strength. Rather than merely defending totals, the team demonstrated its ability to chase a substantial target with wickets remaining.
Afghanistan’s two victories in August 2011
Afghanistan defeated Canada in two ODI encounters in August 2011. The first was a two-wicket victory under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, followed by a 17-run win on 9 August.
These results strengthened Afghanistan’s overall advantage and demonstrated the team’s ability to win under different match conditions.
Afghanistan vs Canada T20I Matches
The T20I rivalry has been less frequent than the ODI series, but Afghanistan have won all three recorded meetings.
February 2010: Afghanistan won by five wickets
In their February 2010 T20I meeting, Canada scored 140/6. Afghanistan chased the target, finishing on 143/5 to win with five wickets remaining.
The successful chase was an early example of Afghanistan’s growing comfort with the demands of the shortest international format.
March 2012: Afghanistan won by 41 runs
Afghanistan posted 174/8 in their T20I encounter with Canada on 18 March 2012. Canada replied with 133/9, and Afghanistan secured a 41-run victory.
The result underlined Afghanistan’s ability to build a competitive total and defend it through disciplined bowling.
February 2026: Afghanistan won by 82 runs
The 2026 T20 World Cup match was the latest and most decisive of the recorded T20I meetings. Afghanistan scored 200/4, led by Ibrahim Zadran’s 95, before bowling Canada out of contention at 118/8.
Mohammad Nabi’s four-wicket haul and Rashid Khan’s two wickets helped Afghanistan maintain their unbeaten T20I record against Canada.
Key Players in Afghanistan vs Canada Matches
Both teams have featured players who can change a match through batting, bowling, or all-round contributions.
| Player | Team | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Ibrahim Zadran | Afghanistan | Top-order batting |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Afghanistan | Aggressive opening batting |
| Mohammad Nabi | Afghanistan | Spin bowling and all-round ability |
| Rashid Khan | Afghanistan | Leg-spin bowling |
| Harsh Thaker | Canada | Batting and all-round contributions |
| Saad Bin Zafar | Canada | Spin bowling and all-round ability |
Ibrahim Zadran’s 95 in the 2026 T20 World Cup match stands out as a recent batting highlight. Mohammad Nabi’s 4/7 was equally influential, showing how a strong bowling spell can turn a competitive total into a decisive victory.
Canada’s players have also produced important performances, particularly in the team’s earlier ODI encounters. Their challenge in future matches will be to build longer partnerships with the bat and maintain pressure through the middle overs.
Highest Scores and Notable Records
The recorded T20I encounters have included several useful statistical milestones.
| Record | Team or player | Figure |
|---|---|---|
| Highest Afghanistan T20I total against Canada | Afghanistan | 200/4 |
| Highest Canada T20I total against Afghanistan | Canada | 140/6 |
| Biggest T20I victory in the matchup | Afghanistan | 82 runs |
| Highest individual score in the 2026 meeting | Ibrahim Zadran | 95 |
| Best bowling figures in the 2026 meeting | Mohammad Nabi | 4/7 |
These figures relate specifically to the T20I matches between the teams. ODI records should be compared separately because the longer format has different scoring patterns and innings limits.
What Makes Afghanistan vs Canada Matches Interesting?
Several factors influence the outcome of these contests.
- Afghanistan’s spin attack: Experienced spinners such as Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi can restrict scoring and take wickets during the middle overs.
- Top-order batting: Afghanistan’s strong opening and top-order batters can create a platform for large totals.
- Canada’s resilience: Canada have shown that they can compete in close contests, including their four-wicket ODI victory in 2010.
- Different match formats: ODIs reward sustained batting and bowling plans, while T20Is place greater emphasis on powerplay performance and rapid scoring.
- Tournament pressure: World Cup encounters add significance because teams must balance the need to win with the pressure of a major international event.
For Canada to challenge Afghanistan consistently, early wickets and strong partnerships will be important. Afghanistan, meanwhile, will look to maintain their advantage through aggressive batting and disciplined bowling.
Conclusion
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Canada National Cricket Team matches have generally favoured Afghanistan. In the eight recorded men’s ODI and T20I encounters covered here, Afghanistan have won seven games, while Canada have won one.
Their latest meeting, on 19 February 2026, saw Afghanistan defeat Canada by 82 runs in the T20 World Cup. Ibrahim Zadran scored 95 from 56 balls, Mohammad Nabi took four wickets for seven runs, and Rashid Khan claimed two wickets.
Earlier ODI encounters included a one-run Afghanistan victory and Canada’s four-wicket win in 2010, demonstrating that the rivalry has not always been one-sided. Future meetings will give Canada further opportunities to challenge Afghanistan’s record and create new milestones in international cricket.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who has won more matches between Afghanistan and Canada?
Afghanistan have won seven of the eight recorded men’s ODI and T20I matches in the head-to-head record covered in this article. Canada have won one.
2. What was the result of the latest Afghanistan vs Canada match?
Afghanistan defeated Canada by 82 runs on 19 February 2026 in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
3. What was Afghanistan’s score in the 2026 T20 World Cup match against Canada?
Afghanistan scored 200/4 in 20 overs, with Ibrahim Zadran making 95 runs from 56 balls.
4. Who was Player of the Match in Afghanistan vs Canada in 2026?
Ibrahim Zadran was named Player of the Match for his 95-run innings. Mohammad Nabi also played a major role by taking four wickets for seven runs.
5. Has Canada ever defeated Afghanistan in an ODI?
Yes. Canada defeated Afghanistan by four wickets on 18 February 2010 after chasing a target of 178 runs.