Canada’s Indian-origin batter Yuvraj Samra created history by becoming the youngest player to score a century at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, blasting a career-best 110 off 65 balls against New Zealand cricket team in a Group D match, at 19 years and 141 days. The youngster, who was named after Indian swashbuckler Yuvraj Singh by his cricket fan father Baljit Samra, was playing in only his 19th T20 International since making his debut in March last year.

Samra struck 11 fours and 6 sixes to power Canada to 173, setting a new mark as the youngest centurion in the tournament and recording the highest individual score by a batter from an Associate nation.He is also the third Canadian to register a half-century in this edition.The record for the youngest hundred in the T20 World Cup was previously held by Pakistan’s Ahmed Shehzad, who was 22-year-old when he touched the milestone in 2014.After his record-breaking century, Yuvraj Samra said the moment was something he had long imagined and worked towards.“Honestly, I manifested this moment ever since we qualified for the World Cup. 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.” he said. On being compared to Yuvraj Singh, Samra said: “It feels incredible. There are so many emotions right now, I can’t really put them into words. Yuvraj Singh is someone I’ve looked up to since I was a kid, so to even be mentioned in the same breath is special. I just wish my dad was here today watching me from back home – this one’s for him.” he added.Highest individual scores for Associate teams in T20 World Cups:

Samra smashed six sixes and 11 fours in his 65-ball knock, taking full advantage of a depleted New Zealand attack minus Lockie Ferguson (personal leave) and Mitchell Santner (indisposed).New Zealand secured their place in the next phase of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with an eight-wicket win over Canada. Chasing 174, New Zealand cruised to 176-2 with nearly five overs to spare, led by Glenn Phillips (76*) and Rachin Ravindra (59*).The result confirmed New Zealand and South Africa national cricket team as the two qualifiers for the Super Eights from Group D, eliminating 2024 semi-finalists Afghanistan.Phillips praised the teenager, calling his innings “fabulous” and adding, “He’s a really clean striker of the ball. Got a long future ahead of him.”