KING CITY — Dilpreet Bajwa scored 55 runs and fellow opener Yuvray Samra added 25 Thursday as Canada defeated the Cayman Islands by 42 runs in a rain-shortened match at the Americas Qualifier for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
The weather restricted both teams to five overs, instead of the normal 20.
Canada, the Bahamas, Bermuda and Cayman Islands are competing in an eight-day double round-robin format that will see the group winner advance to next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Thursday's win improved Canada's record to 4-0-0.
The Caymans won the toss and elected to field at the Maple Leaf Cricket Ground.
Bajwa slammed three fours and four sixes in his 21-ball inning as Canada finished at 81 not out. In response, the Cayman Islands were 39 for five in their five overs.
Opener Jermaine Baker led the Caymans with 15 runs. Shivam Sharma took two wickets for Canada, which faces the Bahamas on Saturday and Bermuda on Sunday.
Canada made its T20 World Cup debut last year, failing to advance out of the group stage after beating No. 11 Ireland and losing to No. 8 Pakistan and co-host U.S., ranked 17th. A match against No. 1 India was abandoned due to inclement weather.
The Cayman Islands and Bahamas were recently promoted from the Subregional Qualifier.
Canada is ranked 19th in T20 play by the International Cricket Council, compared to No. 27 for Bermuda, No. 41 for the Cayman Islands and No. 52 for the Bahamas.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 19, 2025.
The Canadian Press
