CHENNAI, India — Canada’s Yuvraj Samra etched his name into cricketing history on Tuesday, becoming the youngest player to score a century in men’s T20 World Cup history and the first from an associate nation to achieve the feat .
The 19-year-old opener smashed 110 off just 65 deliveries against New Zealand at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, an innings decorated with 11 boundaries and six sixes . At 19 years and 141 days, Samra surpassed Pakistan’s Ahmed Shehzad (22 years, 127 days) as the tournament’s youngest centurion .
A Name Destined for Greatness
Samra’s full name is Yuvraj Singh Samra—a deliberate choice by his father Baljit Singh, who emigrated from India to Canada and named his son after Indian cricket legend Yuvraj Singh . The left-handed batter has now met his namesake on two occasions, first in 2019 when the Indian star played in Canada’s Global T20 League, and again in 2025 .
“I manifested this moment ever since we qualified for the World Cup,” Samra said after his knock. “Every single day, I dreamed about scoring a hundred on this stage. To do it here, in my first appearance [in Chennai], and as the youngest player in this World Cup—it’s truly a dream come true” .
The Innings
Samra reached his half-century in 36 balls before accelerating, bringing up his hundred in just 58 deliveries . He targeted New Zealand’s attack early, striking Matt Henry for back-to-back fours in the first over and plundering 18 runs from James Neesham’s final over of the powerplay .
His 116-run opening partnership with captain Dilpreet Bajwa stands as the highest first-wicket stand by an associate nation against a Full Member in men’s T20 World Cup history .
Bittersweet Ending
Despite Samra’s heroics, New Zealand chased down Canada’s 173 with 29 balls to spare, powered by an unbeaten 146-run stand between Glenn Phillips (76 off 36) and Rachin Ravindra (59 off 39) . The Kiwis secured their Super 8s berth while Canada remained winless .
Samra’s 110 represents the highest individual score by an associate batter against a Full Member in T20 World Cup history, accounting for 63.58% of Canada’s total—the third-highest contribution in tournament history .
