Canada batter Yuvraj Samra became the youngest cricketer to score a century in a T20 World Cup, achieving the milestone against New Zealand in Chennai during the ongoing tournament.
The Canadian opener struck 110 from 65 deliveries, including 11 boundaries and six sixes, registering his maiden international century in a record-breaking performance under tournament pressure.
The record also made the 19-year-old the third youngest centurion in men’s T20I history and the first to score a T20 World Cup hundred against a full-member side.
The left-handed batter became the first player from an associate nation to score a T20 World Cup century, delivering a crucial knock as Canada sought to keep their hopes alive.
In the sixth over, he struck three consecutive boundaries and finished the over with a six over deep cover off James Neesham, reaching his century in 58 deliveries and guiding Canada to 173 for four in 20 overs.
At 19 years and 141 days, Samra had earlier become the youngest player to score a fifty in the tournament, achieving it in 36 balls as he dominated New Zealand’s attack.
Samra survived a dropped catch on 103 when James Neesham spilled a Matt Henry delivery at long off, with the ball bursting through his hands and racing away for four.
He was eventually dismissed when Glenn Phillips completed a catch at deep backward square leg on the second attempt, ending an innings that had already lifted Canada to a competitive total.
Dilpreet Bajwa contributed 36 from 39 balls before holing out to deep extra cover, while Samra continued to attack with pulls, drives, and lofted shots over midwicket.
Canada reached 83 without loss after 12 overs, recording their highest partnership for any wicket at a T20 World Cup and underlining the growing confidence within their batting unit.
New Zealand, missing Mitchell Santner and Lockie Ferguson, struggled for control as Jamieson and Neesham mixed slower balls with hard lengths but failed to contain Samra’s aggressive strokeplay.