PALLEKELE: Oman’s Mohammed Nadeem wrote his name in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup history books on Thursday, achieving two notable feats despite his team’s heavy defeat to Sri Lanka.
The 43-year-old all-rounder walked away with the unwanted joint record for the slowest fifty in tournament history.
Nadeem took 52 deliveries to reach the milestone, matching Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan, who set the mark against Canada in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
A battling half-century from Mohammad Nadeem for Oman against Sri Lanka👏
It is one of the @marriottbonvoy Milestones of the #T20WorldCup 2026.
📝: https://t.co/Vpv1Ytwuwo pic.twitter.com/9e6gLkOkfc
— ICC (@ICC) February 12, 2026
However, the innings also carried a historic silver lining. At 43 years and 161 days, Nadeem became the oldest batter to score a half-century in T20 World Cup cricket.
He surpassed Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya, who was 39 when he achieved the feat against the West Indies in 2009.
A lone hand in a lopsided contest
Chasing Sri Lanka’s mammoth 225, Oman folded for 120. While wickets tumbled around him, Nadeem anchored the innings with an unbeaten 53, a knock defined not by power, but by patience and composure in a format built for explosiveness.
Sri Lanka make it two wins on the trot at #T20WorldCup with a commanding win against Oman 👊
📝 : https://t.co/Vpv1Ytwuwo pic.twitter.com/TdAxl6nAeW
— ICC (@ICC) February 12, 2026
Though the 105-run loss was comprehensive, Nadeem’s resilience earned widespread admiration.
In an age of six-hitting spectacles, his measured approach served as a reminder that experience and temperament still hold value on the biggest stage.
