The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 continues to deliver inspiring moments, and one of the biggest came from Oman’s veteran all-rounder Aamir Kaleem.
During the match between Oman national cricket team and Zimbabwe national cricket team in Colombo, Kaleem achieved a historic milestone by becoming the oldest player ever to play in a Men’s T20 World Cup.
Aamir Kaleem Sets Historic Record
When Kaleem stepped onto the field at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, he was 44 years and 81 days old, breaking the previous record.
| Record | Details |
|---|---|
| Player | Aamir Kaleem |
| Team | Oman |
| Age | 44 years, 81 days |
| Tournament | T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Previous Record | Ryan Campbell (44 years, 30 days) – 2016 |
This achievement highlights the importance of experience and dedication, especially for Associate nations.
Top 10 Oldest Players in T20 World Cup History
| Rank | Player | Team | Age | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aamir Kaleem | Oman | 44y 81d | 2026 |
| 2 | Ryan Campbell | Hong Kong | 44y 30d | 2016 |
| 3 | Frank Nsubuga | Uganda | 43y 253d | 2024 |
| 4 | Mohammad Nadeem | Oman | 43y | 2026 |
| 5 | Brad Hogg | Australia | 43y 34d | 2014 |
| 6 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | 42y 36d | 2021 |
| 7 | Wayne Madsen | Italy | 42y | 2026 |
| 8 | Najeeb Amar | Hong Kong | 42y 17d | 2014 |
| 9 | Mohammad Nabi | Afghanistan | 41y | 2026 |
| 10 | Roelof van der Merwe | Netherlands | 41y | 2026 |
Who is Aamir Kaleem?
- Born: November 20, 1981 (Karachi, Pakistan)
- Role: Left-handed batting all-rounder
- Bowling: Slow left-arm orthodox
- International debut for Oman: 2010
Kaleem moved to Oman and became one of the key players in their cricket journey. He was also part of Oman’s first-ever T20 World Cup appearance in 2016.
Aamir Kaleem Career Stats
T20 Internationals
| Matches | Runs | Strike Rate | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | 718 | 112.53 | 48 |
One Day Internationals
| Matches | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | 160 | 18 |
He has also scored two T20I half-centuries and regularly contributes with both bat and ball.
Recent Form Before the World Cup
Although Kaleem’s recent batting numbers were modest, he showed his experience in key matches:
- Took 5 wickets in the 2025 Asia Cup qualifiers
- Scored 80 off 47 balls in a warm-up match against Sri Lanka A
- Played an important role in Oman’s preparations for the World Cup
At 44, Aamir Kaleem has proven that passion and dedication can keep a player competitive at the highest level. His record-breaking appearance is one of the most inspiring stories of the T20 World Cup 2026 and reflects the growing strength of Associate cricket.
