The 19-year-old brilliantly anchored Canada to 173-4 off their 20 overs after their captain Dilpreet Bajwa opted to bat first.
New Zealand will need 174 to win to be assured of joining South Africa as the Super Eights qualifiers from Group D.
Samra and Bajwa got Canada off to a superb start with an opening partnership of 116 in 14 overs.
Bajwa fell caught by Glenn Phillips off Kyle Jamieson for 36, but Samra carried on and accelerated after the loss of his captain.
He reached his hundred off 58 balls, hitting six sixes and 11 fours in all in the highest individual innings of the tournament so far.
He fell only in the final over when attempting another big hit off Jacob Duffy.
Should New Zealand lose, it will keep Afghanistan’s hopes of qualifying alive.
The Afghans face Canada in the group’s final game on Thursday.
© 2026 AFP
