Canada secured their spot in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a dominant 10-wicket victory over the Bahamas in the Americas Qualifier held at the Maple Leaf North-West Ground on Saturday.
With this win, the Canadian team extended their unbeaten run in the tournament to five matches, chasing down a modest target of 58 in only 5.3 overs. Their commanding performance officially confirmed their qualification for the global event, set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka next year.
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After choosing to bowl first, Canada’s bowlers delivered a clinical display, dismissing the Bahamian side for just 57 runs. Key contributions came from left-arm seamer Kaleem Sana and off-spinner Shivam Sharma, who claimed three wickets each.
In reply, Canadian opener Dilpreet Bajwa smashed an unbeaten 36 off just 14 balls, leading the team to a swift and emphatic victory within six overs.
Under the leadership of Nicholas Kirton, Canada entered the qualifier as a strong contender, having participated in the last T20 World Cup co-hosted by the USA and the West Indies. They opened their campaign with a massive 110-run win over Bermuda, followed by victories against the Cayman Islands and Bahamas in the group stages.
Even a rain-shortened five-over game against the Cayman Islands worked in Canada’s favor, as they posted 82 runs and secured a 42-run victory via the DLS method.
This latest win guarantees Canada a place in the expanded 20-team T20 World Cup, where they will join automatic qualifiers such as India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Australia, and others. The remaining seven places will be decided through regional qualifiers in Europe, Africa, and the Asia–East Asia Pacific region in 2025.
