Nepal delivered a stunning all-round performance to defeat Canada by six wickets in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up fixture at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on February 5, 2026. The Nepal National Cricket Team Vs Canada National Cricket Team Match Scorecard tells the story of a dominant Nepalese side that never looked in trouble during the chase, knocking off a 162-run target with a full two overs to spare.
The turning point of the match was Aasif Sheikh’s explosive 58 off just 29 balls at the top of the order, completely dismantling Canada’s bowling attack inside the Powerplay. Sandeep Lamichhane’s frugal 2 for 14 and Kushal Bhurtel’s 2 for 26 had earlier kept Canada to a competitive but chaseable 161 for 6. This was Nepal’s second consecutive warm-up win a perfect launchpad heading into the main tournament.
Match Summary Table
| Team | Runs | Wickets | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 161 | 6 | 20.0 | Lost by 6 wickets |
| Nepal | 162 | 4 | 18.0 | Won by 6 wickets (12 balls remaining) |
Toss: Canada won the toss and elected to bat first.
Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
Match Type: T20 Warm-up (Day/Night) | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
Canada’s innings was a tale of two halves a steady middle partnership followed by a mid-innings collapse, before a blistering late surge from Shreyas Movva and Jaskaran Singh Buttar. Nepal’s reply, however, was clinical from ball one. Aasif Sheikh set the tone early, and contributions from Sundeep Jora (44) and Gulshan Jha (31*) sealed a professional victory. The Nepal National Cricket Team Vs Canada National Cricket Team Match Scorecard reflects a comprehensive team effort with both bat and ball.
Batting Highlights
Canada Innings – 161/6 (20 overs)
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yuvraj Samra | 7 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 46.67 |
| Navneet Dhaliwal | 41 | 36 | 4 | 1 | 113.89 |
| Kanwarpal Tathgur | 30 | 28 | 3 | 1 | 107.14 |
| Nicholas Kirton | 10 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 250.00 |
| Harsh Thaker | 5 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 71.43 |
| Jaskaran Singh Buttar | 21 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 190.91 |
| Shreyas Movva* | 38 | 19 | 2 | 3 | 200.00 |
| Extras | 9 | — | — | — | — |
| Total | 161/6 | — | — | — | 8.05 RR |
* Not Out
Canada’s innings was built on a 63-run second-wicket partnership between Dhaliwal and Tathgur after a slow start from Samra. Nepal then ripped out four wickets for just 24 runs in 20 deliveries to reduce Canada to around 105 for 5 in the 16th over. The rescue act came from the dangerous Shreyas Movva and Jaskaran Singh Buttar, whose explosive 51-run stand off just 24 balls at the death hauled Canada to a respectable total. Without that late flourish, the Nepal National Cricket Team Vs Canada National Cricket Team contest could have been far more one-sided.
Nepal Innings – 162/4 (18.0 overs)
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kushal Bhurtel | 12 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 109.09 |
| Aasif Sheikh (ret. out) | 58 | 29 | 6 | 3 | 200.00 |
| Sundeep Jora | 44 | 30 | 5 | 1 | 146.67 |
| Lokesh Bahadur Bam | 5 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 62.50 |
| Gulshan Jha* | 31 | 25 | 5 | 0 | 124.00 |
| Dipendra Singh Airee* | 9 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 150.00 |
| Extras | 3 | — | — | — | — |
| Total | 162/4 | — | — | — | 9.00 RR |
* Not Out | Aasif Sheikh retired out to allow lower-order batters match time
Nepal’s batting display was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Aasif Sheikh was in a different zone entirely he raced to his fifty in a blur and was deliberately retired out at 58 to give teammates valuable time in the middle. Sheikh and Jora’s second-wicket partnership of 84 runs effectively ended the contest. Gulshan Jha and Dipendra Airee’s unbeaten stand finished the job with two overs to spare, handing Nepal a perfect Nepal National Cricket Team Vs Canada National Cricket Team warm-up record of two wins from two.
Bowling Figures
Canada Bowling – vs Nepal
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saad Bin Zafar | 4 | 20 | 1 | 5.00 |
| Ajayveer Hundal | 2 | 14 | 1 | 7.00 |
| Ansh Patel | 4 | 40 | 0 | 10.00 |
| Harsh Thaker | 2 | 19 | 0 | 9.50 |
| Kaleem Sana | 3 | 30 | 1 | 10.00 |
| Dillon Heyliger | 3 | 39 | 1 | 13.00 |
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website regarding the Nepal National Cricket Team Vs Canada National Cricket Team Match Scorecard is for general informational and entertainment purposes only. All match data, statistics, player figures, and scorecards published here have been gathered from publicly available sources and are believed to be accurate at the time of writing.
Canada’s bowling unit struggled to contain Nepal’s aggressive chase. Saad Bin Zafar was the most economical, but Nepal’s batters dominated most other bowlers. Ansh Patel conceded 40 runs in his four-over spell a number that summed up Canada’s bowling woes. The powerplay was particularly damaging for Canada, with Nepal reaching 75 for 1 after six overs, completely neutralising any advantage from a modest Canadian total.
Nepal Bowling – vs Canada
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sompal Kami | 4 | 29 | 1 | 7.25 |
| Nandan Yadav | 2 | 19 | 0 | 9.50 |
| Kushal Bhurtel | 3 | 26 | 2 | 8.67 |
| Sandeep Lamichhane | 4 | 14 | 2 | 3.50 |
| Lalit Rajbanshi | 3 | 32 | 0 | 10.67 |
| KC Karan | 4 | 41 | 1 | 10.25 |
Sandeep Lamichhane stood head and shoulders above the rest with a miserly 2 for 14 from four overs an economy rate of 3.50 that was near-unplayable on the Chennai surface. He removed the well-set Dhaliwal and cleaned up Harsh Thaker to break Canada’s middle-over rhythm. Kushal Bhurtel chipped in with two crucial wickets in his three-over spell, triggering the mid-innings collapse that defined this Nepal National Cricket Team Vs Canada National Cricket Team contest.
Key Moments & Tactical Analysis
Toss Impact: Canada chose to bat first under the Chennai evening lights, a reasonable call given the dew factor later in the evening. However, Nepal’s top-order assault made the target look inadequate.
Powerplay Momentum: Canada’s cautious start 30 for 1 after six overs gave Nepal’s bowlers the upper hand early. Nepal’s reply was the polar opposite: 75 for 1 after the powerplay, with Aasif Sheikh already past 40.
Turning Point: The three-wicket burst in overs 12–13, where Bhurtel dismissed Tathgur and Kirton and Lamichhane removed Dhaliwal, changed the entire complexion of Canada’s innings. From a platform of 81 for 1, Canada suddenly found themselves 105 for 5.
Late Canadian Surge: Movva and Jaskaran’s late assault 56 runs in the final four overs did add respectability to Canada’s total and briefly made it a contest on paper. But Nepal’s class with the bat made it irrelevant.
Captaincy Decision: Rohit Paudel’s bowling changes were sharp, rotating Lamichhane cleverly through the middle overs when Canada threatened to accelerate. The decision to retire Aasif Sheikh out a warm-up match strategy to give all batters game time shows Nepal’s planning and depth.
Pitch/Dew Factor: The MA Chidambaram pitch offered a flat, true surface. Dew in the second innings made it easier to bat, which benefited Nepal’s chase. The Nepal National Cricket Team Vs Canada National Cricket Team players on Nepal’s side used conditions expertly.
Key Stats Comparison Table
| Metric | Canada | Nepal |
|---|---|---|
| Total Runs | 161/6 | 162/4 |
| Overs Played | 20.0 | 18.0 |
| Run Rate | 8.05 | 9.00 |
| Powerplay Score | 30/1 | 75/1 |
| Boundaries (4s) | 12 | 18 |
| Sixes (6s) | 7 | 5 |
| Extras | 9 | 3 |
| Top Scorer | Navneet Dhaliwal (41) | Aasif Sheikh (58 ret.) |
| Best Bowler | Saad Bin Zafar (1/20) | Sandeep Lamichhane (2/14) |
Nepal’s powerplay score of 75 for 1 compared to Canada’s 30 for 1 tells the story of two very different approaches. While Canada chose conservatism early and ran out of overs, Nepal went for the throat from ball one. The Nepal National Cricket Team Vs Canada National Cricket Team Stats clearly show Nepal’s superior efficiency: fewer extras, a higher run rate, and more boundaries.
Head-to-Head Analysis & Historical Rivalry
Nepal vs Canada – All-Format Head-to-Head Record (T20Is)
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total T20I Matches | 5 |
| Nepal Wins | 3 |
| Canada Wins | 2 |
| Last 3 Results | Nepal won 2, Canada won 1 |
| Most Recent Result | Nepal won by 6 wkts (Feb 5, 2026) |
Key Historical Encounters
ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier A, February 2022 (Oman):
Canada batted first and were bowled out for 80 in 15 overs. Nepal chased down 81 in 14.1 overs with eight wickets in hand. Sandeep Lamichhane was virtually unplayable, returning 3 for 12 from four overs.
ICC T20 World Cup Warm-up, February 2026 (Chennai):
The match covered in this article. Nepal won convincingly by six wickets with 12 balls to spare the most emphatic result in this rivalry.
Canada T20I Series, October 2024 (King City):
In a closer match played on Canadian soil, Canada edged Nepal by four wickets in a low-scoring thriller. Saad Bin Zafar was the difference-maker with figures of 1 for 13 and key contributions with the bat.
Rivalry Overview
The Nepal National Cricket Team Vs Canada National Cricket Team rivalry is one between two rising Associate nations competing for their place in the global cricket conversation. Nepal has generally held the upper hand in ICC-sanctioned events, with Sandeep Lamichhane consistently proving the difference he has taken wickets across multiple encounters in this fixture.
Canada’s strength lies in their batting depth, particularly Navneet Dhaliwal and Shreyas Movva, both of whom have performed well across the Nepal National Cricket Team Vs Canada National Cricket Team Matches. But Nepal’s bowling attack especially Lamichhane and their aggressive top-order have given them the edge when it matters most.
Both teams have shown significant growth in terms of the Nepal National Cricket Team Vs Canada National Cricket Team Timeline from qualifier-level matches in 2022 to full T20 World Cup warm-up fixtures in 2026. The Nepal National Cricket Team Vs Canada National Cricket Team Players who have been consistent across this period Lamichhane, Aasif Sheikh, Bhurtel for Nepal; Dhaliwal, Movva, Saad Bin Zafar for Canada are the defining figures of this growing rivalry.
Read Also: England Cricket Team vs Italy National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Conclusion
Nepal’s six-wicket win over Canada was a statement of intent ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The Nepal National Cricket Team Vs Canada National Cricket Team Match Scorecard reflects a complete performance disciplined bowling led by Lamichhane, sharp fielding, and a blazing powerplay with the bat anchored by Aasif Sheikh. Nepal went into the tournament on the back of two warm-up wins, while Canada faced their second consecutive defeat, raising concerns about their batting depth.
For Nepal, the next challenge was England in the main group stage a massive step up, but one they would take on with confidence. For Canada, the lessons from this match especially their mid-innings collapse and powerplay struggles were ones they needed to address quickly before facing South Africa. The Nepal National Cricket Team Vs Canada National Cricket Team warm-up match may be an unofficial fixture, but its momentum implications were very real.
❓FAQs
What was the final score in the Nepal National Cricket Team Vs Canada National Cricket Team Match?
Canada scored 161/6 in 20 overs. Nepal chased it down in 18 overs for 162/4, winning by 6 wickets with 12 balls to spare.
Who was the Player of the Match?
Aasif Sheikh (Nepal) was the standout performer with a match-winning 58 off 29 balls, though no official Player of the Match award is given in warm-up matches.
Who scored the most runs in this Nepal vs Canada match?
Aasif Sheikh (Nepal) top-scored with 58 from 29 balls (retired out). For Canada, Navneet Dhaliwal led with 41 off 36 balls.
Who took the most wickets?
Sandeep Lamichhane and Kushal Bhurtel each took 2 wickets for Nepal. Lamichhane’s 2/14 was the most economical bowling display of the match.
What was the turning point of the Nepal National Cricket Team Vs Canada National Cricket Team match?
The three-wicket collapse between overs 12–13, where Canada went from 81/1 to 105/5, effectively ended their chances of posting a larger total. Nepal’s powerplay chase of 75/1 in six overs then made the target irrelevant.
