Canada vs UAE T20 World Cup 2026 promises an intense showdown as two determined associate nations battle for survival in Group D. After heartbreaking opening defeats, both Canada and the United Arab Emirates desperately need a victory to reignite their campaigns and keep Super 8 dreams alive. This February 13, 2026, afternoon clash at Delhi’s iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium could define their tournament journeys.
For Canadian cricket fans, this match represents pride in their rising Americas powerhouse, fueled by recent regional dominance and resilient performances. UAE supporters, meanwhile, draw confidence from their established associate status, explosive batting, and experience against top teams. Associate cricket continues to grow, and moments like this highlight why these nations deserve global spotlight.
The match kicks off at 3:00 PM IST (9:30 AM GMT) on Friday, February 13, 2026. Umpires Adrian Holdstock and Gazi Sohel will officiate, with Alex Wharf as third umpire and Andy Pycroft as referee. Broadcast in India via Star Sports Network and streaming on JioHotstar.
This encounter carries huge stakes. A loss could nearly end qualification hopes given heavy NRR damage from openers. Canada conceded 213/4 to South Africa before replying 156/8, while UAE posted 173/6 against New Zealand but watched a 10-wicket chase. Both seek reset through sharper bowling and bolder batting.
Canada’s journey reflects growing strength in Americas qualifiers, with an eight-match pre-tournament win streak showcasing depth. UAE brings Asian consistency, though disrupted by pre-tournament squad issues. Their sole prior T20I meeting? UAE edged Canada by 14 runs in 2019 qualifiers.
Get ready for passion, pride, and potentially high-scoring drama under Delhi lights!
Canada vs UAE T20 World Cup 2026: Why This Match Matters
Both sides enter wounded but motivated. Canada’s heavy loss to South Africa exposed bowling struggles once set batters attacked, though Navneet Dhaliwal’s half-century offered hope. UAE showed batting enterprise with Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu’s fifties against New Zealand, but lacked bowling bite.
UAE hold slight advantages: ranked 17th vs Canada’s 19th, plus 11 Full Member matches since last World Cup (Canada had zero). Yet Canada’s momentum from eight straight wins pre-tournament adds intrigue.
A win boosts NRR and morale massively. For Canada, it validates Americas progress; for UAE, it reaffirms associate leadership. This CAN vs UAE preview highlights a pivotal Group D turning point.
Recent Exposure Comparison
| Team | T20I Ranking | Matches vs Full Members (Post-2024 WC) | Recent Form (Last 5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | 17th | 11 | L L L L W |
| Canada | 19th | 0 | L W W W W |
UAE’s experience edges them, but Canada’s hunger could spark an upset.
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi: Venue Guide and Pitch Report
Arun Jaitley Stadium (formerly Feroz Shah Kotla) stands as Delhi’s cricket heartbeat, capacity ~48,000, hosting Delhi Capitals in IPL and iconic internationals.
Key Venue Stats (T20Is)
| Statistic | Details |
|---|---|
| T20Is Played | 9+ (historical) |
| Matches Won Batting First | 4 |
| Matches Won Batting Second | 5 |
| Highest Team Total | ~221 (historical examples) |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 165-180 (tournament trend) |
| Chase Success | Slight edge historically |
This marks the third WC match here. Earlier day game saw Netherlands chase 156 comfortably; night games trend higher-scoring.
Pitch Analysis
Afternoon start (3 PM) offers flatter conditions than morning “tacky” wickets. Expect batter-friendly surface with true bounce, short square boundaries, and fast outfield. Par score: 170-190; 180+ competitive.
Dew Factor & Toss
Minimal early dew, possible evening grip issues. Chasing favored; toss winner likely bowls first.
Weather Forecast – February 13, 2026
Pleasant: High 24-26°C, low humidity (~40-50%), clear skies, 0% rain chance. Perfect for full contest.
Conditions suit UAE’s batting firepower and Canada’s resilient chase.
For more stats ESPNcricinfo.
Canada and UAE Team News: Squads and Probable XIs
Canada Team News
Captain Dilpreet Bajwa leads balanced unit. Possible change: Shivam Sharma for expensive bowler. Strengths: All-rounders like Harsh Thaker, pace from Kaleem Sana.
Canada Squad
Dilpreet Bajwa (c), Navneet Dhaliwal, Dilon Heyliger, Ajayveer Hundal, Jaskaran Singh, Kaleem Sana, Nicholas Kirton, Shreyas Movva (wk), Ansh Patel, Ravinderpal Singh, Saad Bin Zafar, Yuvraj Samra, Shivam Sharma, Kanwarpal Tathgur (wk), Harsh Thaker.
Probable XI
- Dilpreet Bajwa (c)
- Yuvraj Samra
- Navneet Dhaliwal
- Nicholas Kirton
- Shreyas Movva (wk)
- Harsh Thaker
- Saad Bin Zafar
- Jaskaran Singh/Shivam Sharma
- Dilon Heyliger
- Kaleem Sana
- Ansh Patel
UAE Team News
Muhammad Waseem captains explosive side. Bowling reinforcements possible (Muhammad Farooq, Simranjeet Singh, Muhammad Jawadullah). Haider Ali replaces disrupted player.
UAE Squad
Muhammad Waseem (c), Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, Harshit Kaushik, Mayank Kumar, Muhammad Arfan, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Rohid, Dhruv Parashar, Alishan Sharafu, Aryansh Sharma (wk), Simranjeet Singh, Sohaib Khan, Syed Haider (wk).
Probable XI
- Aryansh Sharma (wk)
- Muhammad Waseem (c)
- Alishan Sharafu
- Harshit Kaushik/Mayank Kumar
- Sohaib Khan
- Dhruv Parashar
- Muhammad Arfan/Muhammad Farooq
- Haider Ali
- Junaid Siddique
- Muhammad Rohid Khan
- Possible extra pacer
Both sides boast depth; all-rounders key on flat Delhi track.
Key Players to Watch: Stars Who Could Decide Canada vs UAE
Navneet Dhaliwal (Canada)
Elegant stroke-maker shone with 64 vs South Africa. Recent: Consistent middle-order anchor. Canadian fans love his calm under pressure—expect fireworks if set.
Harsh Thaker (Canada)
All-round gem: Recent 51 avg, 139 SR batting; handy off-spin. Versatile threat; proud moment for Canada supporters seeing his growth.
Yuvraj Samra (Canada)
Opener in form: 346 runs in 10 matches, 187 SR. Explosive starts crucial against UAE pace.
Kaleem Sana (Canada)
Pace spearhead: 12 wickets recent, 5.47 econ. Early swing vital on Delhi surface.
Nicholas Kirton (Canada)
Batting all-rounder adds stability; key in chases.
Muhammad Waseem (UAE)
Captain dynamite: Nearing 200 T20I sixes (193 already). Fastest to 3000 runs milestone. UAE fans buzzing for his power-hitting.
Alishan Sharafu (UAE)
23-year-old star: 55 vs NZ, 392 runs recent (43 avg, 133 SR). Clean striker; turnaround form excites Emirati supporters.
Haider Ali (UAE)
Control bowler: 9 wickets recent, tight lines. Could stifle Canada middle-order.
Junaid Siddique (UAE)
Pace option; death-over specialist potential.
Aryansh Sharma (UAE)
Keeper-opener provides solidity.
These stars embody national pride—watch for match-defining knocks!
Canada vs UAE Head-to-Head and Recent Form
Head-to-Head
Only one T20I: UAE won by 14 runs (2019 WC Qualifier, Abu Dhabi). UAE lead 1-0.
Recent Form Guide
Canada (Last 5)
L (vs SA, WC)
W (vs Bermuda)
W (vs Bahamas)
W (vs Cayman)
W (vs Bahamas)
Pre-WC streak: 8 wins straight—longest in format.
UAE (Last 5)
L (vs NZ, WC)
L (vs Ireland)
L (vs Ireland)
L (vs Oman)
W (vs Japan)
Mixed; batting strong, bowling inconsistent.
Key Player Battles and Tactical Preview
Waseem vs Kaleem Sana — Power vs pace; early wickets huge.
Dhaliwal vs Haider Ali — Class vs control; middle overs battle.
Sharafu vs Thaker — Spin vs aggression.
Canada target UAE middle-order fragility; UAE exploit top-order with pace.
Captains Bajwa/Waseem: Discipline key on belter.
Stats, Records and Interesting Trivia
Milestone Watch
Waseem needs 7 sixes for 200 T20I sixes (2nd after Rohit Sharma).
Venue Trivia
Chasing slight edge; high scores common.
Team Trivia
Canada: Longest pre-WC win streak. UAE: First India international this WC cycle.
Canada vs UAE T20 World Cup 2026: Match Prediction
UAE slight favorites (55-45) with ranking, exposure, batting depth. Canada capable upset via disciplined bowling, Dhaliwal-Thaker contributions. Expect high-scoring thriller—UAE edges if tighter bowling.
Final Thoughts: A Proud Moment for Associate Cricket
This clash celebrates associate growth. Canadian and UAE fans—rally behind your heroes! Win or lose, pride shines. Enjoy the action!
FAQs: Canada vs UAE T20 World Cup 2026
1. When and where is Canada vs UAE T20 World Cup 2026 match taking place? The Canada vs UAE T20 World Cup 2026 clash (Match 20, Group D) is scheduled for Friday, February 13, 2026, at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. It starts at 3:00 PM IST (9:30 AM GMT), making it a day-night fixture perfect for fans in India and worldwide.
2. What is the head-to-head record between Canada and UAE in T20Is? Canada and UAE have faced each other only once in T20Is. In the 2019 T20 World Cup qualifier, UAE won by 14 runs. This upcoming Canada vs UAE T20 World Cup 2026 match marks their second-ever T20I encounter, adding extra excitement to this Group D battle.
3. Who are the key players to watch in Canada vs UAE T20 World Cup 2026? For Canada, Navneet Dhaliwal (recent 64 vs South Africa), Harsh Thaker (all-round impact), and Yuvraj Samra (explosive opener) stand out. For UAE, captain Muhammad Waseem (nearing 200 T20I sixes), Alishan Sharafu (clean striker), and bowlers like Haider Ali could decide the game in this CAN vs UAE preview showdown.
4. What is the pitch report for Arun Jaitley Stadium in Canada vs UAE T20 World Cup 2026? The Arun Jaitley Stadium pitch is batter-friendly with true bounce, short boundaries, and a fast outfield. For this afternoon start, expect a flat track favoring strokeplay. Par score is around 170-190, with minimal early dew but possible evening assistance for chasers—ideal for high-scoring T20 World Cup 2026 Group D action.
5. Who is favored to win the Canada vs UAE T20 World Cup 2026 match? UAE holds a slight edge (around 55-45) due to higher T20I ranking (17th vs 19th), more exposure against Full Members, and explosive batting. However, Canada’s recent form and disciplined bowling could spark an upset in this must-win Canada vs United Arab Emirates 2026 contest.
6. How can I watch Canada vs UAE T20 World Cup 2026 live in India? In India, catch the Canada vs UAE T20 World Cup 2026 match live on Star Sports Network (TV) and stream it on JioHotstar. Global viewers should check local ICC broadcasters for coverage of this Group D fixture at Arun Jaitley Stadium.
7. What are the probable playing XIs for Canada and UAE in this T20 World Cup match? Canada’s probable XI includes Dilpreet Bajwa (c), Yuvraj Samra, Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Shreyas Movva (wk), Harsh Thaker, Saad Bin Zafar, and bowlers like Kaleem Sana. UAE’s likely lineup features Aryansh Sharma (wk), Muhammad Waseem (c), Alishan Sharafu, and pace options like Junaid Siddique—both sides may tweak bowling for Delhi conditions.
8. Why is this Canada vs UAE T20 World Cup 2026 match so important? Both teams suffered heavy opening losses (Canada to South Africa, UAE to New Zealand), damaging their NRR. A win here is crucial to reset campaigns, boost morale, and keep Super 8 hopes alive in T20 World Cup 2026 Group D—making it a high-stakes associate nation battle.
9. What is the weather forecast for the Canada vs UAE T20 World Cup 2026 game in Delhi? Expect pleasant February weather on February 13, 2026: highs of 24-26°C, low humidity (40-50%), partly cloudy to clear skies, and 0% rain chance. Perfect conditions for uninterrupted cricket at Arun Jaitley Stadium.
10. What are some interesting stats for Canada vs UAE T20 World Cup 2026? Muhammad Waseem needs just 7 sixes to reach 200 T20I sixes (second after Rohit Sharma). Canada enters after an 8-match pre-tournament win streak, while UAE brings more Full Member experience. This CAN vs UAE preview promises milestone moments on a high-scoring Delhi pitch.