Canada cricketers celebrate T20 World Cup qualification with win over Bermuda

Canada secured their spot in the next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after defeating Bermuda by six wickets in the final game of the Americas Qualifier. Teenage batsman Yuvraj Samra played a crucial role, scoring 45 runs to help his team achieve victory.

The road to qualification had been paved the day before when Canada’s seven-wicket win over the Bahamas, combined with Bermuda’s nine-wicket loss to the Cayman Islands, sealed their fate. Sunday’s win was the cherry on top, improving Canada’s tournament record to a perfect 6-0-0.

Captain Nicholas Kirton expressed his joy at qualifying for the prestigious tournament once again, highlighting the importance of maintaining a winning habit by sticking to the basics. Canada made their T20 World Cup debut last year but failed to progress beyond the group stage. This time around, they are determined to make a stronger impact.

Bermuda won the toss and chose to bat first, with Delray Rawlins putting on a stellar performance with a quickfire 70 runs. However, the rest of Bermuda’s batting lineup crumbled, and they were bowled out for 131. Canada chased down the target with ease, thanks to contributions from Samra, Dilpreet Bajwa, and Pargat Singh.

With this victory, Canada became the 13th team to qualify for the 20-team T20 World Cup in February-March 2026. They join other powerhouse cricketing nations like Afghanistan, Australia, England, and India, among others. Seven more teams will earn their spot through regional qualifiers later in the year.

The Americas Qualifier showcased some standout performances, with Rawlins impressing with his explosive batting display. Canada’s bowlers, including Kaleem Sana and Saad Bin Zafar, played crucial roles in restricting Bermuda’s scoring. Shivam Sharma was named the best bowler of the tournament, while Jermaine Baker of the Cayman Islands was honored as the best batsman and MVP.

The tournament format featured four teams competing in a double round-robin format, with Canada ultimately emerging as the deserving winners. Their journey to the T20 World Cup is a testament to their hard work and determination on the cricket field.