Zimbabwe, West Indies stay unbeaten; Afghanistan sign off strong

West Indies continued their unbeaten streak as they beat Italy in Kolkata in the opening match of the day.

Zimbabwe too continued their unbeaten run, as they scored a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka in an exciting clash in Colombo.

The final match on Thursday saw Afghanistan dominate Canada in Chennai, with to finish their campaign on a high.

Afghanistan finish in dominant fashion

Scorecard

Put into bat, Afghanistan's opening pair once again started well, putting on 47 runs. However, star batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell for 30, and Afghanistan slipped to 49/2 in the powerplay.

Ibrahim Zadran led the Afghanistan rebuild with a gritty half-century, his second successive fifty at the World Cup. His 95-run partnership with Sediqullah Atal (44) gave Afghanistan the perfect platform to launch the final few overs.

Carrying the bat through, Zadran scored his personal best knock of 95 off 56, which is also the highest score by an Afghan player in this edition of the World Cup. In a well-paced innings, he struck seven fours and five sixes.

For Canada, Jaskarandeep Singh was the most successful bowler and ended with 3/52 in four overs.

Chasing, Canada got off to a lively start as the previous game’s centurion Yuvraj Samra drove the very first ball from Mujeeb Ur Rahman for four. Skipper Dilpreet Bajwa followed with positive intent, striking a couple of beautifully timed maximums to keep the early momentum going.

But just as he looked to get going, Bajwa tried to make room against Mujeeb and was bowled, bringing Navneet Dhaliwal in at No.3.

The Canadian stalwart endured a brief stay in what was his final international innings, chipping one straight to backward point to depart for a five-ball duck. Veteran spinner Mohammad Nabi was then introduced and made an immediate impact, removing Samra for 17. He struck again in the eighth over when Nicholas Kirton mistimed an effort, safely pouched by first-innings hero Zadran.

Wickets continued to tumble as the fifth fell quickly and saw Ziaur produce a fine catch in the deep to dismiss Shreyas Movva.

Harsh Thaker briefly counterattacked with flair, collecting a four and six off Ziaur immediately, and alongside Saad built a steady 53-run partnership to rebuild the chase.

The stand was eventually broken by Nabi, who returned to end Thaker’s resistance at 30. Saad soon followed, undone by a beauty from Rashid, before Nabi capped off his spell with his fourth wicket by removing Heyliger with the first ball of his final over. Canada were at 105/8 on 18.1 overs.

The remaining 11 deliveries did not see much action as Afghanistan won by 82 runs.

Zimbabwe continue dream run

Scorecard

Zimbabwe, who failed to make the cut for the 2024 T20 World Cup, continue to spring surprises. After beating Australia earlier in the tournament, they defeated tournament co-hosts Sri Lanka by six wickets in Colombo to enter the Super Eight unbeaten and at Group B toppers.

In their final group game of the 2026 edition on Thursday, Zimbabwe restricted the in-form Sri Lankans to 178/7 and then overcame a mid-innings lull to gallop to 182/4 in 19.3 overs.

Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani gave the team the perfect launchpad, putting on an opening partnership of 69 in 8.3 overs. After losing Marumani and Ryan Burl in quick succession, they struggled to tick on for a while.

But captain Sikandar Raza flipped the switch in the 15th over, slamming two sixes and four in succession to plunder 20 runs off it. His blitz of 45 runs from 26 balls took Zimbabwe to the brink of victory. However, it was Bennett, who has been unbeaten in the tournament so far, carried the team over the finish line with a level-headed innings of 63 not out, off 48 balls.

Electing to bat first, they got off to a flying start, scoring 61/1 in powerplay. The co-hosts raced to 50 in 4.1 overs, making it their fastest team 50 in T20 World Cup history.

Pathum Nissanka, who led Sri Lanka to victory against Australia in the previous match, has once again given the side the early momentum with a brisk half-century. During the innings of 62 (41b, eight fours), he also overtook Kusal Mendis as Sri Lanka's highest scorer in T20Is.

Leg-spinner Graeme Cremer (2/27) led the Zimbabwe fightback, dimissing Kamindu Mendis and Nissanka. The co-hosts slipped from 100/2 to 123/4. In the 19th over, Brad Evans claimed two wickets off two balls to check Sri Lankan scoring rate at the death. Blessing Muzarabani, who had drawn first blood for Zimbabwe, finished with 2/38.

Pavan Rathnayake gave the team a much-needed boost towards the end, with 44 off 25, with the help of three fours and two sixes.

West Indies continue dominant run

Scorecard

West Indies defeated Italy by 42 runs in Kolkata on Thursday to remain unbeaten in the group stage of the T20 World Cup.

Bidding to exit the World Cup on a high, a spirited performance from the Italian team saw them restrict West Indies to 165/6. But with Matthew Forde spearheading the attack, the Italian chase failed to take off, and eventually folded at 123 in 18 overs. Benjamin Manenti top-scored for the Italians with 26.

For the third time in four matches, West Indies bowled out the opposition, including England, inside 20 overs. Shamar Joseph floored Italy with pace, finishing with 4/30. Meanwhile Forde, who had provided the breakthrough with the wicket of Justin Mosca, returned with impressive figures of 3/19 in his four overs.

Sent into bat, Shai Hope held the West Indies innings together with a brisk half-century. The West Indies captain was the only one who used his feet well to counter a disciplined bowling performance and scored 75 off 46 balls, with the help of six fours and four sixes.

Ali Hasan gave Italy the breakthrough, inducing a faint edge off Brandon King. The West Indies kept losing wickets at regular intervals, and were unable to pick up the pace once Hope was bowled by Crishan Kalugamage.

While the leggie continued his impressive form and was the pick of the bowlers, Benjamin Manenti also contributed with 2/37 in his four overs.