Canada has officially announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, set to take place in India and Sri Lanka this February. This announcement, confirmed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), marks a historic milestone for the nation, as it will be Canada's debut appearance in a T20 World Cup tournament.
Canada's T20 World Cup squad announced
Dilpreet Bajwa-led team secured their spot on the global stage following a dominant performance in the T20 World Cup Americas Regional Final in June 2025. Facing off against Bermuda in a high-stakes qualifier, Canada chased down a target of 132 runs in just 15.4 overs to win by six wickets. This victory capped off a successful qualifying campaign that showcased the rising strength of Canadian cricket.
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The squad's bowling attack is expected to be led by the standout duo of Shivam Sharma and Kaleem Sana. During the regional qualifiers, Sharma’s off-spin was exceptionally lethal, claiming 11 wickets at an average of 7.81, while Sana’s left-arm pace provided a perfect balance with 10 wickets at an average of 7.5. Both bowlers will be vital to Canada's hopes of causing an upset during the group stages.
As far as their batting line-up is concerned, Canada features several aggressive options capable of taking on world-class attacks. Nicholas Kirton remains a key figure in the lineup, known for his attacking style and ability to anchor an innings. He will be supported by fellow left-hander Yuvraj Samra, whose explosive strike rate of 160.72 makes him a significant threat in the powerplay and death overs.
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Canada has been placed in a challenging Group D for the upcoming tournament, where they will face established cricketing powerhouses South Africa, New Zealand, and Afghanistan, along with the UAE. The Canadian side is scheduled to kick off its historic campaign on February 9 in Ahmedabad, taking on South Africa in what will be a major test for the debutants.
Toby Radford appointed Canada's batting coach
In a related move within the group, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has bolstered its support staff ahead of the global event. On January 13, the board announced the appointment of Toby Radford as the national team’s batting coach, alongside Robert Ahmun, who takes over as the new strength and conditioning trainer. The ACB confirmed that both professionals will join the senior men's squad immediately, starting with the three-match T20I series against the West Indies.
These coaching additions signal Afghanistan's intent to refine their batting depth and physical fitness as they prepare to compete in a group that features several high-caliber opponents. With Canada making their debut and Afghanistan strengthening their backroom staff, Group D is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing pools in the 2026 edition.
Canada's T20 World Cup squad:
Dilpreet Bajwa (C), Ajayveer Hundal, Ansh Patel, Dilon Heyliger, Harsh Thaker, Jaskarandeep Buttar, Kaleem Sana, Kanwarpal Tathgur, Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Ravinderpal Singh, Saad Bin Zafar, Shivam Sharma, Shreyas Movva, Yuvraj Samra.