History meets embarrassment as Mohammad Nadeem becomes oldest and slowest T20 World Cup fifty-maker

Omani batsman Mohammad Nadeem has set a new record in the ICC T20 World Cup history, as he beat former Sri Lanka opener Sanath Jayasuriya to become the oldest cricketer to have scored a half-century in a Men's T20 World Cup. However, he has also joined Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan in another list of unwanted records.

Oman made their way into the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 main event, and middle-order all-rounder Mohammad Nadeem can be said to have had a crucial role in their success. He is not only their oldest but also their most experienced cricketer alongside the skipper, Jatinder Singh.

Sri Lanka crushed the Omani side in the second match of the tournament for both these teams. Having played their first game against Ireland, Sri Lanka made a winning start, while Oman lost their first to Zimbabwe after the African underdogs put forward a staggering effort with the ball.

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Mohammad Nadeem sets a new bar in ICC T20 World Cup history

Omani batter Mohammad Nadeem is the oldest player in this edition of the T20 World Cup. He is aged 43 years and 161 days, even more than Italian skipper Wayne Madsen and Netherlands spinner Roelof van der Merwe.

However, he has now set a new record in the T20 World Cup history, as he became the oldest cricketer to score a half-century in a T20 World Cup game. He went past the record of former Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya, who held this record with a half-century against the West Indies back in 2009, when he was aged 39 years and 345 days.

Jayasuriya was part of the Lankan camp and witnessed the innings from the Omani batter. Jayasuriya is the head coach of the Sri Lankan team in this tournament.

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

Mohammad Rizwan joined at the top position in a humiliating T20 World Cup record

On the same day and in the same innings when he became the oldest half-centurion in a World Cup, he also earned the top position on an unwanted list. Mohammad Nadeem's half-century came amid immense struggle as he reached the landmark off 52 balls.

When Mohammad Nadeem came out to bat for Oman, his team looked in immense struggle, as they had lost both their openers within the first two overs of the game. Also, they kept losing wickets throughout the innings but he held onto his nerve at the other end and batted throughout the innings.

In doing so, he equalled the record of Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan, who holds the record for the slowest half-century in a T20 World Cup game. His record came off 52 balls as well during an innings against Canada in the 2024 World Cup.

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

Sri Lankan middle-order excels as the co-hosts crush Oman in Pallekele

Sri Lanka could not make a good start; however, their middle order was fabulous against the Asian minnows. Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara were dismissed early, but it brought Kusal Mendis and Pawan Rathnayake onto the crease.

The two batters put on a stunning stand and scored fifties each, but the carnage, which was initiated by Rathnayake, was taken ahead by the skipper, Dasun Shanaka. Shanaka scored the joint fourth-fastest half-century in the T20 World Cup off just 19 balls.

The Lankans posted a massive 226 run target and won the match by a huge margin of 105 runs, after Oman were restricted to 120/9 in their 20 overs. Dusmantha Chameera and Mahesh Theekshana remained the pick of the bowlers with 2 wickets each.

ALSO READ: Dasun Shanaka equals Rohit Sharma’s World Cup record in 19-ball carnage against Oman