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Canada's Yuvraj Samra Shines in T20 WC Despite Loss to New Zealand

Canada put up a spirited fight against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup, posting 173/4 thanks to a century from 19-year-old Yuvraj Samra. Captain Dilpreet Bajwa praised Samra's record-breaking innings and their 100-run opening partnership as a proud moment for Canadian cricket. Despite the loss, Bajwa highlighted the valuable lessons learned from competing against a full-member nation. He emphasized that Associate nations like Canada need more exposure against top teams to improve and eventually secure victories.

Key Points: Canada's Yuvraj Samra Scores Historic T20 WC Century

  • 19-year-old Yuvraj Samra scores historic century
  • Canada posts competitive 173/4
  • 100-run opening partnership sets platform
  • Captain Bajwa highlights need for more exposure
  • Associate nations seek more games vs full members
3 min read

T20 WC: 'Full credit to Yuvraj, proud moment for the team,' says Canada captain Dilpreet Bajwa

Canada captain Dilpreet Bajwa praises Yuvraj Samra's record-breaking century in a spirited T20 World Cup performance against New Zealand.

"I think, hats off to Yuvraj. He's just youngest player in the World Cup and finishing with a hundred this match. - Dilpreet Bajwa"

Chennai, Feb 17

Despite a spirited fight, Canada fell short against a rampaging New Zealand, but captain Dilpreet Bajwa was proud of his team's historic effort, particularly the standout performance from 19-year-old Yuvraj Samra. Canada posted a competitive 173/4, powered by a 100-run opening partnership between Bajwa and Samra, before New Zealand chased it down with authority.

"We were a bit confident. Of course, we have one bowler short, Kaleem Sana, but we were a bit confident that ball's gonna spin. When Bin (Saad Bin Zafar) and the other guy was bowling, ball was spinning. But yeah, hard luck happened. The one bowler short affected us," he said after the loss against New Zealand.

Bajwa's 36 off 39 balls laid the platform for Samra's record-breaking innings, and he praised his partner's achievement.

"We were struggling from top-order. In the last two games, we were losing our four or five wickets in circles. So our plan was to just take in the ground and as much over we can play. And I think, hats off to Yuvraj. He's just youngest player in the World Cup and finishing with a hundred this match. I think very proud moment for him. And I think it's a very proud moment for all Canadians that we had a hundred run partnership by opening pair against one of the biggest team," Bajwa said.

Bajwa acknowledged the lessons learned from competing against a full member nation, as he said, "When you play against these teams that we are lacking as associate and we learned quickly that in the last two games, we were losing wickets, but we planned accordingly and we did well this time," he added.

Looking at the bigger picture for Associate cricket, Bajwa emphasised the need for more exposure, saying, "we need more cricket against these big teams like full-member nations. When we get that, I think we're gonna compete them. Now we're just competing, but hopefully when we get more cricket against these teams, we'll hopefully beat them. And we've been beating last World Cup, we beat Ireland and we're still looking for one here. But, Canadian cricket, I think people's gonna follow our cricket because of Yuvraj. He's got a hundred and we had a big partnership. So now I think people are gonna follow Canadian cricket too."

Despite the loss, Bajwa remained optimistic about Canada's next challenge. "Nothing to lose, always to win. So I think we're gonna go with full stretch and we're gonna do well day after tomorrow, hopefully.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Proud of the fight Canada put up! 173 is a very competitive total against a team like NZ. Bajwa is right, they need more matches against top teams to bridge the gap. The ICC must schedule more such fixtures for the growth of the game.
A
Aman W
Respect to Captain Bajwa for his gracious words. It's tough to lose after such a great start, but his focus on the positives and the future is commendable. Yuvraj's century will inspire many young cricketers in Canada and back here in India too!
S
Sarah B
While the spirit is great, I feel the article glosses over the bowling weakness he mentioned. Being one bowler short at this level is a massive strategic flaw, not just "hard luck". The management needs to ensure a full squad is available for such big tournaments.
K
Karthik V
"Nothing to lose, always to win" – love that attitude! This is the kind of cricket we want to see. It makes the World Cup more exciting when the so-called smaller teams come out and play fearless cricket. All the best for their next match!
N
Nisha Z
As an Indian cricket fan, it's wonderful to see the global diaspora contributing. Names like Dilpreet Bajwa, Yuvraj Samra, Saad Bin Zafar... it shows cricket is truly becoming a world sport. Hope they get the exposure they deserve.

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