Afghanistan vs Canada Prediction: Who Will Win AFG vs CAN 39th T20 Match on 19th February 2026?
The highly anticipated Afghanistan vs Canada prediction for the 39th T20 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 takes center stage at the iconic M. A. Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday, 19 February 2026. Although this is a dead rubber in Group D with both teams eliminated from Super 8 contention, pride, ranking points, and momentum are at stake. Afghanistan sit third with two points, while Canada remain winless at the bottom. Cricketwebs provides the best match prediction tips for every cricket match, and this clash promises individual brilliance despite lacking knockout implications.
Afghanistan finally registered a win against UAE after narrow defeats to New Zealand and South Africa. Azmatullah Omarzai has been exceptional, picking up eight wickets in the last three matches while contributing crucial runs lower down the order. Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman remain central figures, especially on Chennai’s spin-friendly surface.
Canada, meanwhile, have fought hard but lacked bowling depth. Yuvraj Samra’s brilliant 110 in the previous game was historic — the only Canadian T20 World Cup century. However, their inability to control middle overs has cost them matches.
Chepauk traditionally favors spin and disciplined batting. Afghanistan’s stronger bowling attack gives them a clear tactical advantage. While Canada will aim to end their losing streak, Afghanistan appear better equipped to close their campaign with a win.
- Afghanistan aim to finish strong after a hard-fought win against UAE; Omarzai and Rashid key assets.
- Canada’s batting shows promise, especially Yuvraj Samra’s historic century.
- Spin-friendly Chennai pitch favors Afghanistan’s bowling unit.
- Winning probability favors Afghanistan (78%) over Canada (22%).
Match Details
| Match | AFG vs CAN, 39th T20 |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday, 19 February 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 PM IST |
| Venue | M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| Tournament | T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar |
| TV Broadcast | Star Sports Network |
Team Previews
Afghanistan Preview
Afghanistan’s campaign has been a mixture of missed opportunities and individual brilliance. After two narrow defeats to strong sides, they finally secured victory against UAE. Azmatullah Omarzai’s all-round heroics (4/15 and 40 off 21) proved decisive.
Batting remains inconsistent. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is explosive but vulnerable early. Ibrahim Zadran provides stability with a measured approach. Darwish Rasooli and Gulbadin Naib contribute middle-order momentum.
The bowling attack is Afghanistan’s greatest strength. Rashid Khan’s variations and control make him lethal at Chepauk. Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s mystery spin and Noor Ahmad’s left-arm wrist spin provide depth. Chennai’s slow track perfectly complements their bowling arsenal.
With this being a dead rubber, Afghanistan may rotate squad members. However, their spin dominance gives them a strategic edge over Canada’s relatively inexperienced middle order.
Canada Preview
Canada have shown fighting spirit but struggled with bowling discipline. Yuvraj Samra’s 110 against New Zealand was a landmark innings, displaying power and timing. Dilpreet Bajwa anchors but often at a slower strike rate.
Nicholas Kirton and Harsh Thaker add balance, yet the absence of consistent wicket-taking bowlers has hurt Canada. Dillon Heyliger and Saad Bin Zafar have provided early breakthroughs but failed to sustain pressure.
Middle overs remain Canada’s weakness, especially against quality spin. Facing Rashid Khan and Mujeeb on a turning Chennai track presents a tough challenge.
Canada’s key to victory lies in early wickets and restricting Afghanistan below 160. Otherwise, their bowling limitations may again prove costly.
Team Squad
Afghanistan Squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, Fazalhaq Farooqi, etc.
Canada Squad: Yuvraj Samra, Dilpreet Bajwa (c), Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Harsh Thaker, Dilon Heyliger, Shreyas Movva (wk), Saad Bin Zafar, Shivam Sharma, Jaskaran Singh, Ansh Patel, etc.
Probable Playing XI
Afghanistan: Gurbaz (wk), Zadran, Naib, Rasooli, Omarzai, Nabi, Rashid (c), Mujeeb, Noor Ahmad, Farooqi, Sharifi
Canada: Samra, Bajwa (c), Dhaliwal, Kirton, Thaker, Movva (wk), Heyliger, Bin Zafar, Sharma, Jaskaran, Patel
Afghanistan vs Canada Today’s Dream11/Fantasy Prediction
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| WK | Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
| BAT | Ibrahim Zadran, Yuvraj Samra, Nicholas Kirton |
| AR | Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Harsh Thaker |
| BOWL | Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Dillon Heyliger |
Spin-friendly conditions favor Afghan bowlers. Rashid and Mujeeb are must-haves. Omarzai offers dual points with bat and ball. Gurbaz is a high-risk, high-reward option. Samra is Canada’s standout batting pick.
Captain Options: Rashid Khan / Azmatullah Omarzai
Vice-Captain Options: Ibrahim Zadran / Yuvraj Samra
Avoid: Ansh Patel, Shivam Sharma
Also Check: Get The Best Fantasy Prediction From Cricket Experts
Favourite Team in Today’s Match – Afghanistan
Afghanistan are favourites in the Afghanistan vs Canada clash primarily due to their superior bowling attack, experience in subcontinental conditions, and stronger historical record. Their spin-rich bowling lineup, featuring Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Azmatullah Omarzai, is well-suited to the slow, turning wicket expected at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium — which typically assists spinners and middle-over control. Canada’s bowling lacks consistent wicket-taking options, especially in the middle overs, which has cost them in previous games.
Afghanistan also have the edge in head-to-head history and match temperament, even though both teams are out of Super 8 contention. Their experience in pressure T20 situations and strategic execution gives them the upper hand in pacing innings and defending totals. Canada will target improved performances, especially with the bat, but Afghanistan’s balanced squad depth and spin advantage make them favourites to close their campaign on a high note.
Why Afghanistan?
- Superior spin bowling attack
- Better experience in Indian conditions
- Stronger head-to-head history
- Balanced batting lineup
Afghanistan T20 History
| Matches | Won | Lost | No Result | Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 162 | 97 | 64 | 1 | 0 |
Afghanistan have become a competitive T20 side, especially in Asian conditions with strong spin bowling.
Canada T20 History
| Matches | Won | Lost | No Result | Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 89 | 48 | 39 | 2 | 0 |
Canada have a positive win ratio but remain inexperienced against stronger associate and full-member sides.
Head-to-Head Stats
| Matches | AFG Won | CAN Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Afghanistan have won both previous T20 meetings against Canada, giving them a psychological and statistical edge.
Pitch Report
The pitch at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai traditionally assists spinners as play progresses. The surface tends to be slow and low, favoring control and variation, especially in middle overs. Teams winning the toss may choose to bat first to put up a competitive total, then leverage spin in the middle stages to restrict the opposition. Scores around 160–175 are generally competitive here. Pacers might get assistance early, but spin remains the decisive factor on this track.
Weather Report
| Condition | Forecast |
|---|---|
| Temperature | ~25–30°C |
| Humidity | High |
| Rain Chance | Minimal |
| Conditions | Warm & Humid |
The weather in Chennai is expected to be warm, humid, and largely dry during the evening of the match with minimal rain interruptions.
Broadcast Details
The match will be broadcast live on Star Sports Network and streamed via JioHotstar across India. International fans can watch through official ICC broadcast partners in their regions, offering live coverage and expert analysis pre- and post-match.
Toss Prediction
Given the expected spin-friendly conditions and bowling advantages during the middle overs, the toss-winning captain may choose to bat first to set a target and put scoreboard pressure on the opposition. Chasing teams often contend with slowing pitches at Chepauk, especially in night fixtures where dew can make bowling tricky later. Winning the toss and batting first could thus offer a strategic edge.
Probable Batsman & Bowler
Top batting prospects include Ibrahim Zadran for Afghanistan, known for his ability to build an innings, and Yuvraj Samra for Canada, who has shown power hitting and the capacity to change matches single-handedly. Form and adaptability under pressure will be critical in determining run accumulation.
On the bowling front, Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan is the standout threat with his variations and control, especially on spin-assisting surfaces. Azmatullah Omarzai also offers wicket-taking potential and is valuable in middle overs. For Canada, Dillon Heyliger and Saad Bin Zafar can provide early breakthroughs, but sustaining pressure against quality spin will be their main challenge.
Afghanistan vs Canada Winning Chances
| Team | Winning % | Why They Win | Why They May Lose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 78% | Strong spin attack, experience | Batting inconsistency |
| Canada | 22% | Explosive batting ability | Weak bowling depth |
Afghanistan’s winning chances are higher due to their spin suite and tactical experience, while Canada’s bowling limitations reduce their probability despite batting promise.
Match Prediction
Afghanistan’s balanced bowling attack and historical head-to-head advantage make them favourites in this dead-rubber Group D encounter. While Canada will target their first win and have batting talent, Afghanistan’s ability to exploit Chepauk conditions with spin should steer them to victory.
Prediction: Afghanistan Will Win.
Also, once the toss takes place, we might modify the Today Match Prediction as per the playing XIs. Please check this blog after the toss for the updated Prediction.
FAQ – AFG vs CAN 39th T20
When and where is the Afghanistan vs Canada 39th T20 match scheduled?
The match will be played on 19 February 2026 at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium. It is part of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage fixtures.
What time does the AFG vs CAN match start?
The match is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM IST. Viewers in other regions should check their local broadcast listings for time conversions.
Is this match important for Super 8 qualification?
No, this is a dead rubber as both Afghanistan and Canada have already been eliminated from the tournament. However, pride, ICC rankings, and finishing momentum remain important.
Who is the favorite to win today’s match?
Afghanistan are favorites due to their stronger bowling attack, especially spin options like Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, which suit Chennai conditions.
What is the head-to-head record between Afghanistan and Canada in T20Is?
Afghanistan and Canada have met twice in T20 internationals, and Afghanistan have won both encounters.
What type of pitch can be expected at Chepauk?
The Chennai surface is traditionally spin-friendly. It tends to slow down as the match progresses, making stroke play difficult in middle overs and favoring disciplined spin bowling.
What could decide the outcome of this match?
The battle between Afghanistan’s spinners and Canada’s top-order batters will likely determine the result. If Canada handle spin effectively, they can challenge; otherwise, Afghanistan’s bowling depth may dominate.
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