NEW DELHI: New Zealand sealed their Super 8 berth in emphatic fashion as Glenn Phillips blasted the fastest fifty by a New Zealander in T20 World Cup history to power an eight-wicket win over Canada on Tuesday. Chasing a challenging 174 in a virtual knockout, New Zealand rode on an unbroken 146-run stand between Phillips and Rachin Ravindra to overhaul the target in just 15.1 overs and finish their group stage with six points.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Canada had earlier produced a moment of history through teenage sensation Yuvraj Samra, who struck a magnificent 110 to become the youngest centurion in T20 World Cup history. His brilliance lifted Canada to 173 for 4 and briefly put New Zealand under pressure.
Scorecard: New Zealand vs CanadaBut New Zealand responded like true contenders. After slipping to 30 for 2 inside four overs, Ravindra and Phillips counter-attacked fearlessly. Phillips smashed an unbeaten 76 off 36 balls, while Ravindra remained 59 not out, as the chase turned into a one-sided finish that confirmed New Zealand’s passage to the next round and left Canada winless despite their young star’s heroics. Samra’s history-making hundred lights up Canada’s inningsSamra announced himself on the global stage with a sensational innings that combined maturity and audacity. The 19-year-old dominated from the outset, taking on Matt Henry and James Neesham with clean, confident strokeplay.He reached his fifty in just 36 balls and never slowed down, eventually finishing with 110 off 65 deliveries, including six sixes and 11 fours. Alongside captain Dilpreet Bajwa (36), he added 116 runs for the opening wicket — the highest first-wicket stand by an Associate nation against a Full Member in the tournament’s history.However, Canada’s failure to capitalise fully in the final overs, scoring only 23 runs in the last three, proved costly in the end.Early jolts for New Zealand spark the counter-attackCanada made the ideal start while defending their total, removing Finn Allen and Tim Seifert inside the powerplay to reduce New Zealand to 30 for 2. At that stage, the chase hung in the balance and Canada sensed an opportunity to create another upset.But Ravindra steadied the innings with composure, finding boundaries through elegant cuts and drives. His calm presence ensured New Zealand stayed ahead of the required rate and laid the platform for what followed next.Phillips’ record fifty turns the game on its headPhillips initially took a few deliveries to settle before unleashing one of the most destructive innings of the tournament. He tore into Canada’s bowlers with sweeps, switch-hits and towering straight sixes.His half-century came off just 22 balls — the fastest ever by a New Zealander in T20 World Cups — and completely shattered Canada’s resistance. He continued the assault to finish unbeaten on 76, turning a tense chase into a commanding victory.Ravindra’s perfect supporting act seals dominant finishWhile Phillips grabbed the headlines, Ravindra’s role was equally crucial. He rotated strike intelligently and punished loose deliveries to keep the scoreboard moving.He brought up his half-century and fittingly hit the winning runs, capping a flawless partnership that came off just 73 balls. Their stand ensured New Zealand not only qualified but did so with authority and momentum.
