Canada’s opening batter Yuvraj Samra made history in Chennai on Tuesday by becoming the youngest player ever to score a century in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The 19-year-old reached his hundred in just 58 balls during Canada’s Group D match against New Zealand at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium.
At 19 years and 141 days old, Samra broke the previous record held by Pakistan’s Ahmed Shehzad, who was 22 years and 127 days old when he scored his century. Samra is also the first player from an Associate nation to score a hundred in the men’s T20 World Cup.
He started confidently, reaching his half-century in 36 balls before accelerating against New Zealand’s experienced bowling attack. Samra also put together a strong 116-run opening partnership with captain Dilpreet Bajwa, who contributed 36 runs, helping Canada get off to a solid start.
Men’s T20 World Cup: The Youngest Centurions Ever
19y 141d – Yuvraj Samra (CAN) vs NZ, Chennai, 2026*
22y 127d – Ahmed Shehzad (PAK) vs BAN, Mirpur, 2014
23y 156d – Suresh Raina (IND) vs SA, Gros Islet, 2010
25y 83d – Alex Hales (ENG) vs SL, Chattogram, 2014
25y 327d – Glenn Phillips (NZ) vs SL, Sydney, 2022
Facing fast bowlers Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson, Samra stayed calm but attacked when needed. He hit 11 fours and six sixes, scoring a brilliant 110 runs from 65 balls. It was his first century in international cricket in any format. After Bajwa got out on the last ball of the 14th over, New Zealand got a small boost, but Samra kept control of the game during the middle overs.
He had a lucky moment when he was on 103, as James Neesham dropped a catch at long-off off Henry’s bowling. The ball slipped through his hands and went for four runs. But the luck didn’t last long. Glenn Phillips finally caught him at deep backward square leg on the next chance, ending his innings.
Canada had lost all their earlier matches and were at the bottom of the group, so they badly needed someone to step up — and Samra did just that on the big stage. New Zealand, who were second in Group D with four points behind South Africa, now have a tough chase ahead to improve their standing.
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