KING CITY — Opener Yuvraj Samra scored 65 runs to help Canada defeat Bermuda by 110 runs in its opening match Sunday at the Americas Qualifier for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
The Canadian men face the Bahamas, Bermuda and Cayman Islands in an eight-day double round-robin format that will see the group winner advance to next year's ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Canada made its T20 World Cup debut last year, failing to advance out of the group stage after beating Ireland and losing to Pakistan and the co-host U.S. A game against India was abandoned due to inclement weather.
“I would feel like half of the job is done," Canada captain Nicolas Kirton said prior to Sunday's match. "We went to our first T20 World Cup last year and played some good cricket and got a win against Ireland. The goal for this team is to improve on that.”
Bermuda won the toss at the Maple Leaf Cricket Ground and elected to bowl Sunday.
The Canadians finished at 205 for five in their allotted overs. In response, Bermuda was all out for 95 in 19.1 overs.
Opener Aaron Johnson was caught on five runs with Canada at 26 for one. But Samra and Pargat Singh steadied the ship with a 61-run partnership before Singh was caught on 28 runs. Samra hit five fours and four sixes in his 35-ball knock before he was caught with Canada at 117 for four.
No. 5 batsman Harsh Thaker finished at 49 not out.
Derrick Brangman was Bermuda's leading scorer at 42 not out. Pace bowler Kaleem Sana led Canada's bowlers with three wickets.
Canada faces the Cayman Islands on Monday, the Bahamas on Wednesday, the Cayman Islands on Thursday, the Bahamas on Saturday and Bermuda next Sunday.
The Cayman Islands and Bahamas were recently promoted from the Subregional Qualifier.
Canada is ranked 19th in T20 play by the International Cricket Council, compared to No. 28 for Bermuda, No. 41 for the Cayman Islands and No. 51 for the Bahamas.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 15, 2025.
The Canadian Press
