New Zealand Storm Into Super Eight Despite Youngest T20 World Cup Century by Canada’s Yuvraj Samra; Nepal End 12-Year Win Drought
Chennai (Agency): Yuvraj Samra became the youngest batter to score a century in T20 World Cup history, but his milestone knock could not prevent Canada from suffering defeat against New Zealand.
Powered by a blistering innings from Glenn Phillips, the Kiwi side crushed Canada by eight wickets on Tuesday to seal their place in the Super Eight stage.
Blazing Century
The 19-year-old Samra scored a magnificent 110 off 65 balls before being dismissed in the final over. His innings included 11 fours and six sixes. Riding on his century, Canada posted 173 for four after electing to bat first.
However, Player of the Match Glenn Phillips smashed an unbeaten 76 off 36 deliveries, hitting four fours and six sixes, while Rachin Ravindra remained not out on 59 off 39 balls. Their efforts propelled New Zealand to 176 for two in just 15.1 overs, securing qualification for the next round.
Record Partnership
New Zealand had a shaky start, losing openers Tim Seifert (6) and Finn Allen (21) by the fourth over. The team reached 60 for two at the end of the powerplay.
Thereafter, Phillips and Ravindra steadied the innings and dominated the attack. The duo stitched together an unbeaten 146-run partnership for the third wicket to guide the team home comfortably.
Phillips reached his half-century in just 22 balls, setting a New Zealand record in T20 World Cup history. He surpassed Aaron Redmond’s 23-ball fifty against Ireland in 2009, as well as Seifert’s 23-ball half-century against the UAE earlier in the current tournament.
First Century by an Associate Nation
Samra’s knock also created another milestone. It marked the first century by a batter from an Associate nation in T20 World Cup history.
It was only the third occasion that a Canadian player had scored 50 or more runs in the tournament.
Rachin Ravindra (left) and Glenn Phillips were seen taking a run during New Zealand’s innings in Chennai on Tuesday.
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