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The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is reaching its dramatic conclusion, and the 39th match of the tournament presents a high-stakes encounter in Group D. On Thursday, 19th February 2026, a resurgent Afghanistan will take on a spirited but struggling Canada at the spin-friendly MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. As we analyze this AFG vs CAN 39th T20 match prediction, the context is clear: Afghanistan are fighting for survival, while Canada is playing for pride.
Afghanistan, currently sitting third in Group D with one win and two losses, find themselves in a must-win situation. Their campaign has been a rollercoaster, highlighted by a close victory over the UAE but marred by losses to South Africa and New Zealand. With their world-class spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi, they possess the firepower to dismantle any batting lineup on the slow Chennai track.
On the other hand, Canada are rooted to the bottom of the group with three consecutive losses. However, their previous match against New Zealand was a revelation. Yuvraj Samra announced himself on the world stage with a sensational century, scoring 110 runs off just 65 balls, proving that the Canadian batting lineup can compete with the best.
This Afghanistan vs Canada clash is a battle between a world-class spin attack under immense pressure and a fearless batting lineup with nothing to lose. With a potential Super 8s spot on the line for Afghanistan, expect a tense, high-quality contest under the lights in Chennai.
Match Details
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | AFG vs CAN, 39th T20 Match, Group D |
| Date | Thursday, February 19th, 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 PM Local Time (Night Match) |
| Venue | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
Team Preview
Afghanistan Team Preview
The Afghanistan cricket team finds itself in a familiar yet high-pressure situation: needing a win to keep their Super 8 hopes alive in a World Cup. Sitting third in Group D with just one win from three matches, their campaign has been a mix of fighting spirit and missed opportunities. After a heavy loss to South Africa, they bounced back with a crucial victory over the UAE, where their chasing prowess was on full display. However, a defeat to New Zealand has left them with a must-win scenario against Canada. The backbone of this Afghan side is, without a doubt, their world-renowned spin attack.
Led by the legendary Rashid Khan, they possess the most potent spin trio in the tournament, also featuring the mystery spin of Mujeeb Ur Rahman and the experience of Mohammad Nabi. On the spin-friendly Chennai track, they will be Afghanistan’s biggest weapon. Rashid’s ability to bowl googlies and flippers at will makes him unplayable, while Mujeeb’s carrom balls and Nabi’s off-spin provide the perfect variety. In the previous match against the UAE, Azmatullah Omarzai emerged as a hero with the ball, picking up 8 wickets in the tournament, and he will be crucial with his medium pace.
With the bat, Afghanistan has relied heavily on the explosive Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who has been their leading run-scorer with 111 runs. He provides the firepower at the top, while Ibrahim Zadran plays the perfect anchor role, as evidenced by his composed 53 against the UAE. The middle order, featuring Darwish Rasooli and the experienced Mohammad Nabi, provides the finishing touch. For this match, the key for Afghanistan will be to handle the pressure of expectation. They cannot afford to take Canada lightly, especially after their batting heroics against New Zealand. A big win is non-negotiable, not just for the two points, but to significantly boost their net run rate, which could be crucial for qualification.
Canada Team Preview
For Canada, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has been a tournament of learning and, more recently, a glimpse of their immense potential. Rooted to the bottom of Group D with three losses, they are already eliminated from the race to the Super 8s. However, their previous match against New Zealand was a statement to the cricketing world that they belong on this stage. In a breathtaking display of batting, opener Yuvraj Samra announced himself as a future star. He smashed a magnificent century, scoring 110 runs off just 65 balls, an innings studded with 11 fours and 6 sixes. His partnership of 116 runs with captain Dilpreet Bajwa gave the New Zealand bowlers nightmares and proved that the Canadian top order can compete with the world’s best. This knock will give them immense confidence heading into this match.
With the ball, Canada has relied heavily on their captain Saad Bin Zafar, who has been their leading wicket-taker with 4 scalps. His left-arm orthodox spin will be crucial on the Chennai track. He will need support from the likes of Dilon Heyliger and Kaleem Sana to contain the powerful Afghan batting lineup. This match is a free hit for Canada. With nothing to lose, they can play with complete freedom and express themselves. They will take inspiration from Samra’s heroics and look to spoil Afghanistan’s party. If their top order can fire once again and their bowlers can use the conditions wisely, they have the potential to cause the biggest upset of the tournament. A win here would be a historic moment for Canadian cricket.
Team Squad
Afghanistan Squad:
Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Sediqullah Atal, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Mohammad Ishaq Rahimi, Shahidullah Kamal, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Darwish Rasooli, Ibrahim Zadran, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi.
Canada Squad:
Dilpreet Bajwa (c), Ajayveer Hundal, Ansh Patel, Dilon Heyliger, Harsh Thaker, Jaskarandeep Singh, Kaleem Sana, Kanwarpal Tathgur, Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Ravinderpal Singh, Saad Bin Zafar, Shivam Sharma, Shreyas Movva (wk), Yuvraj Samra.
Probable Playing XI
Afghanistan Probable Playing XI:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Sediqullah Atal.
Canada Probable Playing XI:
Yuvraj Samra, Dilpreet Bajwa (c), Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Harsh Thaker, Shreyas Movva (wk), Ravinderpal Singh, Saad Bin Zafar, Dilon Heyliger, Kaleem Sana, Jaskarandeep Singh.
Fantasy Team XI
| Role | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Wicket-Keeper | Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Afghanistan |
| Wicket-Keeper | Shreyas Movva | Canada |
| Batter | Yuvraj Samra | Canada |
| Batter | Ibrahim Zadran | Afghanistan |
| Batter | Darwish Rasooli | Afghanistan |
| All-Rounder | Azmatullah Omarzai | Afghanistan |
| All-Rounder | Mohammad Nabi | Afghanistan |
| All-Rounder | Harsh Thaker | Canada |
| Bowler | Rashid Khan | Afghanistan |
| Bowler | Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Afghanistan |
| Bowler | Saad Bin Zafar | Canada |
Building a winning fantasy XI for this AFG vs CAN clash requires a strategy of loading up on dominant Afghan spinners while capitalizing on Canada’s in-form batting sensation. We start with the wicket-keepers. Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz is their leading run-scorer and an explosive opener, capable of providing a flying start . Canada’s Shreyas Movva is a reliable middle-order batter who can accumulate runs.
The batting lineup is headlined by Canada’s new hero, Yuvraj Samra, who is a must-pick after his sensational century against New Zealand . Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran is the perfect anchor, fresh off a composed 53, while Darwish Rasooli adds firepower in the middle order.
The all-rounder department is stacked with Afghan quality. Azmatullah Omarzai is a top fantasy asset, leading their wicket-taking charts with 8 scalps and contributing valuable runs. The legendary Mohammad Nabi provides experience with both bat and ball. Canada’s Harsh Thaker offers medium pace and middle-order stability, making him a valuable differential.
The bowling attack is Afghanistan’s greatest strength, especially on the Chennai track. Captain Rashid Khan is the best T20 bowler in the world and a prime captaincy candidate. Mujeeb Ur Rahman provides mystery spin that is unplayable on turning tracks. Canada’s Saad Bin Zafar is their leading wicket-taker and a genuine threat with his left-arm orthodox spin.
Captain and Vice-Captain Picks:
- Captain: Rashid Khan (World-class spinner, captain, lethal on Chennai track, due for a big haul).
- Vice-Captain: Yuvraj Samra (In sublime touch, fresh off a century, Canada’s biggest match-winner).
Players to Avoid in Fantasy Team:
- Gulbadin Naib (AFG): Batting lower down the order, his role might not guarantee enough balls to score big fantasy points. He is a high-risk pick.
- Navneet Dhaliwal (CAN): Has struggled for form in the tournament. On a spin-friendly track against quality Afghan spinners, he might find it difficult to make a significant impact.
Pitch Report
The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is renowned as a spin bowler’s paradise. The pitch is slow, offers significant grip, and tends to turn sharply as the game progresses. Pacers need to rely on cutters and variations to be effective. Scoring in the middle overs is challenging. Batting first and posting a score around 150-160 is considered competitive.
Weather Report
Chennai will experience warm and humid conditions with clear skies. There is no forecast of rain, ensuring a full 20-over contest under the lights. Temperatures will be around 28°C with high humidity.
Toss Prediction
On the spin-friendly Chennai track, captains winning the toss prefer to bat first to utilize the best batting conditions before the pitch slows down and becomes treacherous. We predict Afghanistan will win the toss and bat first.
Probable Best Batter & Bowler
Probable Best Batter: Yuvraj Samra (Canada)
Yuvraj Samra is the find of the tournament for Canada. Fresh off a sensational century against a world-class New Zealand attack, he is brimming with confidence. His ability to play spin and pace with equal ease makes him the most dangerous batter in this contest. On the Chennai track, expect him to anchor the Canadian innings once again.
Probable Best Bowler: Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
Rashid Khan is the best T20 bowler in the world, and the spin-friendly Chennai track is his perfect hunting ground. His ability to bowl googlies and flippers at will makes him unplayable, especially against a relatively inexperienced Canadian lineup. Expect him to weave his magic in the middle overs and pick up a crucial haul of wickets.
Match Prediction
This is a clear mismatch on paper, but Canada’s recent batting heroics add an element of intrigue. Afghanistan’s world-class spin attack, led by Rashid Khan, will be too hot to handle on the Chennai track. While Yuvraj Samra will provide a fight, the Afghan bowlers should bundle out Canada for a low total and chase it down comfortably to keep their Super 8 hopes alive.
Our Winner: Afghanistan Will Win
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