The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 features a strong mix of young stars and experienced veterans. While many teams rely on fearless youngsters, some still trust senior players. Experience often makes a big difference in high-pressure tournaments. In this article, we look at the oldest players and identify the most experienced team in the competition.
Here are five of the oldest players from different teams playing in the tournament:
| Player Name | Age | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Aamir Kaleem | 44 | Oman |
| Wayne Madsen | 42 | Italy |
| Roelof van der Merwe | 41 | Netherlands |
| Richie Berrington | 38 | Scotland |
| Sikandar Raza | 39 | Zimbabwe |
From all 20 teams, Aamir Kaleem of Oman is the oldest player in the tournament. Kaleem made his international debut in 2011. He has been a key all-rounder for Oman since then. His long career makes him the most experienced player in this World Cup.
| Team | Oldest Player | Age (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Oman | Aamir Kaleem | 44 |
| Scotland | Richie Berrington | 38 |
| Ireland | Craig Young | 35 |
| South Africa | David Miller | 36 |
| England | Adil Rashid | 37 |
| West Indies | Jason Holder | 34 |
| Netherlands | Roelof van der Merwe | 41 |
| Zimbabwe | Sikandar Raza | 39 |
| New Zealand | James Neesham | 35 |
| Australia | Glenn Maxwell | 37 |
| Pakistan | Fakhar Zaman | 35 |
| Sri Lanka | Kusal Perera | 35 |
| Canada | Saad Bin Zafar | 39 |
| Italy | Wayne Madsen | 42 |
| United States | Shadley van Schalkwyk | 37 |
| India | Suryakumar Yadav | 35 |
| UAE | Simranjeet Singh | 36 |
| Nepal | Karan KC | 34 |
| Afghanistan | Mohammad Nabi | 40 |
Oman is the oldest team in the T20 World Cup 2026, with an average age of 34.8 years. The squad includes several experienced players who have represented the country for more than a decade. On the other hand, Nepal is the youngest team in the tournament, with an average age of 25.3 years. The side features energetic players in their early and mid-20s who play fearless and aggressive cricket.
| Team | Average Age (Years) |
|---|---|
| Oman | 34.8 |
| Scotland | 29.8 |
| Ireland | 28.4 |
| South Africa | 33.1 |
| England | 29.0 |
| West Indies | 29.7 |
| Netherlands | 29.2 |
| Zimbabwe | 28.8 |
| New Zealand | 33.9 |
| Australia | 34.8 |
| Pakistan | 28.4 |
| Sri Lanka | 29.8 |
| Canada | 29.8 |
| Italy | 29.9 |
| United States | 31.4 |
| India | 31.1 |
| UAE | 28.0 |
| Nepal | 25.3 |
| Afghanistan | 27.6 |
Pakistan head into the T20 World Cup 2026 with a balanced squad averaging 28.4 years, combining players in their prime with a few experienced campaigners. India’s team, slightly older at 31.1 years on average, relies on seasoned leaders alongside in-form youngsters. Australia features one of the most experienced lineups, averaging 34.8 years, packed with players who have played in multiple ICC events.
England, with an average age of 29 years, fields a mix of senior white-ball specialists and promising young talent. The varying age profiles of these top teams show how different strategies, experience versus youthful energy, could shape the tournament.