New Zealand sealed their qualification to the next phase of the T20 World Cup with an eight-wicket thumping of Canada in Chennai on Tuesday.
Chasing 174 to win, New Zealand were never in trouble and reached 176-2 with almost five overs to spare.
Glenn Phillips was on 76 not out at the end with Rachin Ravindra unbeaten on 59.
“We did get on a bit of a run at the end there, which was fantastic,” said Phillips.
“But honestly, Rach and I were just trying to stick to our processes and take it one ball at a time.”
The result eliminates the 2024 semi-finalists Afghanistan as New Zealand joined South Africa as the two qualifiers for the Super Eights from Group D.
Canada’s Yuvraj Samra earlier became the youngest player to score a T20 World Cup century, when he blasted 110 in 65 balls to help his side to 173-4.
The 19-year-old brilliantly anchored the innings after captain Dilpreet Bajwa opted to bat first.
Samra and Bajwa got Canada off to a superb start with an opening partnership of 116 in 14 overs.
Bajwa fell caught by Phillips off Kyle Jamieson for 36, but Samra carried on and accelerated after the loss of his captain.
He reached his hundred off 58 balls, hitting six sixes and 11 fours in all in the highest individual innings of the tournament so far.
“I manifested this moment ever since we qualified for the World Cup,” said the youngster, who was named after Indian great Yuvraj Singh.
“Every single day, I dreamed about scoring a hundred on this stage.
“To do it here, in my first appearance, and as the youngest player in this World Cup, it’s truly a dream come true.”
Phillips was full of praise for the teenager, calling his innings “fabulous”.
“He’s a really clean striker of the ball. Got a long future ahead of him.”
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