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New Zealand eye Super Eight spot against Canada
A win against Canada in their first T20I against them on Tuesday will firm up New Zealand’s spot in the Super Eight. This result will also knock out Canada; South Africa have already qualified for the next round from Group D with three wins in as many games.
New Zealand have faced Canada just three times in international cricket so far – each time in ODI World Cups. Their most recent meeting coming in the 2011 edition in Mumbai. They have won all three games and are poised to make it 4-0 against Canada in World Cups, despite the absence of Lockie Ferguson. The fast bowler has returned home for the birth of his first child and is expected to link up with the side ahead of the Super Eight. In Ferguson’s absence, Kyle Jamieson, who wasn’t even in the main squad in the first place, is set to make his T20 World Cup bow.
As for Canada, they had their moments against South Africa and UAE but they have failed to convert those into wins. On Friday in Delhi, they had UAE at 66 for 4 in the 13th over in a chase of 151, but they left the door ajar for Aryansh Sharma and Sohaib Khan to sneak home. Canada can’t afford such slip-ups against New Zealand – and then Afghanistan – if they are to notch up a win in this World Cup.
Kyle Jamieson doesn’t quite have Ferguson’s express pace, but can bang it away on a hard length and stifle the opposition batters. He also has some slower variations in his repertoire and his high-arm release could pose a big threat, especially to batters who are facing him for the first time.
Once known as “Vettori” in Canada’s club cricket circuit, Saad Bin Zafar will run into the team that was once captained by one of his heroes. The Canada left-arm spinner often attacks the stumps and keeps it tight, as his economy rate of 6.02 across 67 T20Is suggests. At 39, Saad knows he won’t be playing the game for long and will be eager to cause a few upsets on the big stage.
Jamieson is set to slot in for Ferguson unless New Zealand want to give veteran legspinner Ish Sodhi a game.
New Zealand (probable): Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (capt), Jimmy Neesham, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy
Canada are likely to play the same XI that lost to South Africa and UAE.
Canada (probable): Dilpreet Bajwa (capt), Yuvraj Samra, Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Shreyas Movva (wk), Harsh Thaker, Saad Bin Zafar, Jaskaran Singh, Dilon Heyliger, Kaleem Sana, Ansh Patel
[Cricinfo]
Latest News
Warm welcome extended to the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at the Presidential Secretariat
The official welcoming ceremony for the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, who is on a State visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, was held this morning (08th May 2026) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Dissanayake.
President To Lam is undertaking this State visit with the aim of further strengthening the economic, cultural and social ties between Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
Upon his arrival at the Presidential Secretariat, escorted by the Police Mounted Division, President To Lam was warmly received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Following the playing of the national anthems of both countries, the official welcoming ceremony for President To Lam formally commenced.
On the occasion, President To Lam was accorded a ceremonial gun salute with full State honours.
Thereafter, President To Lam and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reviewed the Tri-Forces Guard of Honour, following which the Vietnamese and Sri Lankan delegations were introduced.
The two leaders also posed for official photographs.
Representing the Government of Sri Lanka at the occasion were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Science and Technology Professor Krishantha Abeysena, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Minister of Environment Dr Dhammika Patabendi, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala, Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired), Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aruni Ranaraja, along with a number of senior officials from both countries.
(PMD)
President To Lam, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, accompanied by a delegation of 209 members arrived in Sri Lanka on Thursday (07) night on a state visit.
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Warm welcome extended to the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at the Presidential Secretariat
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President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam arrives in Sri Lanka on State Visit
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