Canadian-Indian batsman Yuvraj Samra created history by becoming the youngest century scorer in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup when he scored a career-high 65-ball 110 runs against New Zealand Cricket in a Group D match at the age of 19 years and 141 days.
The youngster, whose cricket-loving father Baljit Samra was named after Indian dasher Yuvraj Singh, played only his 19th T20 international since making his debut in March last year.
Samra hit 11 fours and six sixes to help Canada score 173 runs, setting a new record for the youngest centurion in the tournament and the highest individual score by a quasi-national batsman.
He is also the third Canadian to register a half-century in this edition.
The record for the youngest century in the T20 World Cup was previously held by Pakistan’s Ahmed Shehzad, who was only 22 when he reached the milestone in 2014.
After his record-breaking century, Yuvraj Samra said this moment was something he had imagined and worked towards for a long time.
“Honestly, I have been achieving this moment since we qualified for the World Cup. Every day, I dream of scoring a hundred on this stage. Here, on my first appearance and as the youngest player in this World Cup, it is truly a dream come true,” he said.
On being compared with Yuvraj Singh, Samra said, “It feels unbelievable. There are so many emotions right now that I can’t put into words. Yuvraj Singh is someone I have looked up to since childhood, so to be compared to him is special. I just wish my dad could be at home watching me today – it’s for him,” he added.
Highest individual score for a United team in T20 World Cup:
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110 – Yuvraj Samra (Canada) vs New Zealand, Chennai, 2026*
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94* – Aaron Jones (USA) vs CAN, Grand Prairie, 2024
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86 – Michael Jones (SCOT) vs IRE, Hobart, 2022
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84 – George Muncy (SCOT) vs ITA, Kolkata, 2026
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80* – Andries Gous (USA) vs SA, North Bay, 2024
Samra hit six sixes and 11 fours in his 65-ball knock, taking full advantage of New Zealand’s depleted attack after losing Rocky Ferguson (personal leave) and Mitchell Santner (illness).
New Zealand beat Canada by eight wickets to secure their place in the next phase of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Chasing 174 runs, New Zealand, led by Glenn Phillips (76*) and Rachin Ravindra (59*), were 176-2 with nearly 5 overs to spare.
The results confirm the New Zealand and South Africa national cricket teams as the two teams in the Group D Super Eight qualifiers, eliminating 2024 semi-finalists Afghanistan.
Phillips praised the teenager, calling his game “brilliant”, adding, “He’s a very clean striker. He’s got a long future ahead of him.”
