Did Aamir Kaleem Just Make History as the Oldest Player to Score a Half-Century in T20 WC?
Synopsis
Aamir Kaleem has made history by becoming the oldest player to score a half-century in T20 World Cup history. At 44 years and 86 days, he achieved this milestone against Ireland, showcasing his incredible talent and resilience. Despite his efforts, Oman faced a significant defeat, highlighting the challenges in the tournament. Read on to discover more about this remarkable achievement.
Key Takeaways
Aamir Kaleem becomes the oldest player to score a half-century in T20 World Cup history.
He scored 50 runs off 28 balls against Ireland.
Oman's batting lineup struggled after his dismissal.
He surpassed Mohammad Nadeem's previous record.
Oman needs to improve consistency in high-pressure matches.
Colombo, Feb 14 (NationPress) Oman's veteran all-rounder Aamir Kaleem has made a remarkable achievement by becoming the oldest player to score a half-century in T20 World Cup history. He accomplished this feat by scoring 50 runs off just 28 balls against Ireland during their third match of the T20 World Cup 2026, held at the Sinhalese Sports Club on Saturday.
Aamir opened the batting for Oman, who were chasing a daunting target of 236 runs in hopes of clinching their first win in the ongoing tournament.
He began his innings with a four on the second delivery and followed it up with a six on his fourth ball. While wickets fell on the other end, Aamir remained resolute, forming a crucial 73-run partnership with Hammad Mirza.
At the age of 44 years and 86 days, Aamir reached his half-century in just 28 balls, striking five fours and two sixes. Sadly, he couldn't convert it into a bigger score and was dismissed by a sharp bouncer from Barry McCarthy.
This innings allowed him to surpass his teammate Mohammad Nadeem, who previously held the record for the oldest player to score a half-century during this tournament at 43 years and 161 days.
At third on the list is Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya, who hit a half-century at 39 years and 345 days against the West Indies in the 2009 T20 World Cup.
Despite Aamir's historic performance, Oman's batting lineup fell apart after his dismissal, resulting in them being bowled out for just 139 runs in 18 overs, as Ireland secured a decisive 96-run victory.
Aamir recently made headlines for becoming the oldest participant in the T20 World Cup, breaking the previous record held by former Hong Kong captain Ryan Campbell (44 years and 30 days) during the 2016 edition. Kaleem was also part of Oman's inaugural T20 World Cup squad in 2016 and has participated in several Asia Cup qualifiers and World Cup qualification campaigns.
Throughout his career, he has played 54 T20I matches, scoring 718 runs and taking 48 wickets.
Point of View
I find Aamir Kaleem's achievement not only remarkable but also a testament to the spirit of perseverance in sports. His record-breaking half-century showcases that age is merely a number, inspiring many budding cricketers. However, the team's performance post his dismissal highlights the need for consistency and resilience in high-pressure situations.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What record did Aamir Kaleem break?
Aamir Kaleem became the oldest player to score a half-century in T20 World Cup history, achieving this at the age of 44 years and 86 days.
How many runs did Aamir Kaleem score?
Aamir Kaleem scored 50 runs off just 28 balls against Ireland.
What was Oman's target in the match?
Oman was chasing a target of 236 runs set by Ireland.
What record did Aamir surpass?
He surpassed his teammate Mohammad Nadeem, who previously held the record at 43 years and 161 days.
What challenges did Oman face in the match?
Despite Aamir's historic innings, Oman collapsed and was bowled out for 139 runs, losing the match by 96 runs.
