Oman batter Mohammad Nadeem became the oldest batter to score a half-century in a Men’s T20 World Cup match, but his team suffered a heavy 105-run defeat against Sri Lanka.
Nadeem reached his fifty during Oman’s second match of the tournament, surpassing former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya’s previous record set during the 2009 T20 World Cup.
The all-rounder, aged 43 years and 161 days, is the oldest player in the ongoing mega event, older than Italy captain Wayne Madsen and Netherlands spinner Roelof van der Merwe.
It is worth noting that Jayasuriya achieved the milestone at 39 years and 345 days, when the Sri Lankan batting great scored a half-century against the West Indies in 2009.
At 43 years and 161 days, Mohammad Nadeem becomes the oldest to score a fifty at any men’s T20 World Cup 👴
He surpasses Sanath Jayasuriya – his opposition’s coach – who was 39 years and 345 days old when he scored 81 against the West Indies in 2009 pic.twitter.com/jDpvRynp43
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 12, 2026
Jayasuriya, now serving as the head coach of Sri Lanka in the ongoing tournament, was present with the team and witnessed Nadeem’s record-breaking innings from the dugout.
However, Nadeem’s landmark innings also placed him on an unwanted list, as his half-century came off 52 deliveries, equalling the record for the slowest fifty in tournament history.
Pakistan wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan previously set that record during the 2024 T20 World Cup in USA, when he reached his half-century in 52 balls against Canada.
A comfortable victory for Sri Lanka, but a consolatory half-century for Oman’s Mohammad Nadeem. #T20WorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/xvJHDAOzWg
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) February 12, 2026
Nadeem arrived at the crease with Oman struggling after losing both openers within the first two overs and continued to lose wickets at regular intervals.
He remained at the crease throughout the innings, holding one end together as wickets kept falling, eventually guiding Oman to 120 for nine in their 20 overs.
Earlier in the match, the home side posted a commanding total of 226 runs after recovering from early setbacks in their innings against Oman.
Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara were dismissed early, but Kusal Mendis and Pawan Rathnayake steadied the innings with half-centuries during a significant partnership.
Rathnayake’s aggressive approach was later supported by captain Dasun Shanaka, who scored the joint fourth-fastest half-century in T20 World Cup history off just 19 balls.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers then completed the victory comfortably, with Dusmantha Chameera and Mahesh Theekshana claiming two wickets each to seal a comprehensive win.
