Oman batsman Mohammad Nadeem created a new record in ICC T20 World Cup history as he became the oldest cricketer to score a half-century in the Men’s T20 World Cup, beating former Sri Lanka opener Sanath Jayasuriya. However, he is also included in another list of unwanted records along with Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan.

Oman has made it to the main draw of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, and middle-order all-rounder Mohammad Nadeem can be said to have played a crucial role in their success. Not only is he their oldest cricketer, he is also their most experienced cricketer along with captain Jatinder Singh.

Sri Lanka defeated Oman in the second match between the two teams. Sri Lanka won their first match against Ireland, while Oman lost their first match against African underdogs Zimbabwe.

Your daily dose of cricket!

Mohammad Nadeem sets new benchmark in ICC T20 World Cup history

Oman batsman Mohammad Nadeem is the oldest player in this T20 World Cup. At 43 years and 161 days old, he is even taller than Italy captain Wayne Madsen and Dutch spinner Roelof van der Merwe.

However, he has now set a new record in T20 World Cup history by becoming the oldest cricketer to score a goal in a T20 World Cup match in half a century. He surpassed former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya’s record of half-century against West Indies in 2009 when he was 39 years and 345 days old.

Jayasuriya was part of the Lanka training camp and witnessed the Omani batsmen in action. Jayasuriya is the head coach of the Sri Lankan team in this tournament.

Mohammad Nadeem becomes the oldest person to score 50 runs in any men’s T20 World Cup at the age of 43 years and 161 days 👴

He surpassed rival coach Sanath Jayasuriya, who scored 81 against West Indies in 2009 when he was 39 years and 345 days old. pic.twitter.com/jDpvRynp43

—ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 12, 2026

Mohammad Rizwan tops list in humiliating T20 World Cup record

On the same day and in the same innings that he became the oldest half-centurion in the World Cup, he also earned the top spot on the dislike list. Mohammad Nadeem’s half-century came after a huge struggle as he completed the milestone off 52 balls.

When Mohammad Nadeem came on for Oman, his side looked to be struggling immensely as they lost their opening matches in both the first two rounds of the competition. Also, they kept losing wickets throughout the innings but he kept his nerve at the other end and batted throughout the innings.

His achievement equaled Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan’s record for the slowest half-century in a T20 World Cup match. His record is also 52 goals scored in a single game at the 2024 World Cup against Canada.

It was a comfortable win for Sri Lanka but a consolation half-century for Oman’s Mohammad Nadeem. #T20World Cup 2026 pic.twitter.com/xvJHDAOzWg

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) February 12, 2026

Sri Lanka midfield performs well as co-hosts beat Oman at Palleke

Sri Lanka failed to get off to a good start; however, their midfield performed brilliantly against the Asian minnows. Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara were dismissed early but Kusal Mendis and Pawan Rathnayake also came on board.

Both batsmen put in a stunning performance, scoring 50 runs each, but the carnage started by Ratnayake was led by skipper Dasun Shanaka. Shanaka reached the joint-fourth fastest half-century in the T20 World Cup in just 19 balls.

After Oman restricted the score to 120/9 in 20 overs, the Lankans posted a mammoth target of 226 runs and won the match by a huge margin of 105 runs. Dusmantha Chameera and Mahesh Theekshana remain the top picks among the bowlers with 2 wickets each.

Also read: Dasun Shanaka equals Rohit Sharma’s World Cup record in 19-goal massacre against Oman