Canada's men's cricket team has secured their place in the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. This achievement comes after a dominant performance in the Americas Qualifiers, where they maintained an unbeaten record.
The qualification was sealed with a resounding seven-wicket victory over the Bahamas at the Maple Leaf North-West Ground in King City, Ontario. Canada chased down the modest target of 57 runs in just 5.3 overs, showcasing their superiority throughout the tournament. This win marked their fifth consecutive victory in the Americas Region Final Qualifier, having previously defeated Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, along with another win over the Bahamas.
In the decisive match against the Bahamas, Canada's bowling attack proved too strong. Kaleem Sana and Shivam Sharma each took three wickets, dismantling the Bahamian batting lineup and restricting them to just 56 runs in 19.5 overs. Dilpreet Bajwa then led the chase with an impressive unbeaten 36 off just 14 balls, ensuring a swift and decisive victory for Canada.
Led by Nicholas Kirton, Canada started their campaign with a commanding 110-run win over Bermuda. This was followed by a 59-run victory against the Cayman Islands and a ten-wicket triumph over the Bahamas in the initial round of matches. In their second match against the Cayman Islands, which was shortened to five overs per side, Canada continued their dominance, scoring 82 runs and winning by 42 runs.
With this qualification, Canada joins cricket powerhouses like India, Australia, England, and Pakistan in the 20-team tournament. Ten teams had already qualified for the event, including co-hosts India and Sri Lanka, along with Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, the United States, the West Indies, Ireland, New Zealand, and Pakistan. According to the ICC, the remaining seven teams will be determined through regional events in Europe, Africa, and the Asia-East Asia Pacific regions later this year.
Canada's qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup marks a significant milestone for cricket in the country. Their participation in the tournament will provide an opportunity to showcase their talent on a global stage and further develop the sport within Canada.
