Imran Tahir turned back the clock in the Caribbean Premier League, producing a sensational five-wicket haul to create history and help Guyana Amazon Warriors register their seventh win in eight matches of the season. The 47-year-old leg-spinner returned figures of 5/17 against Saint Lucia Kings at Providence, becoming the oldest cricketer ever to take a five-wicket haul in men’s T20 cricket.Tahir, who was 47 years and 166 days old, surpassed the previous record held by Tomakunte Ritawa, who took 5/19 for the Cook Islands against Fiji at the age of 46 years and 299 days in 2022.
Tahir adds another record to his remarkable T20 career
The latest five-for was the sixth of Tahir’s T20 career and yet another reminder of his remarkable longevity in the shortest format. Interestingly, Tahir already featured prominently on the previous list of the oldest bowlers to claim five-wicket hauls. He had taken 5/21 for Guyana Amazon Warriors against Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in 2025 at the age of 46 years and 148 days.He also recorded five-wicket hauls for Rangpur Riders in 2024 and Birmingham Phoenix in 2021.
Oldest bowlers to pick up a five-wicket haul in men’s T20s
| Rank | Player | Age | Bowling figures | Team | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Imran Tahir | 47y 166d | 5/17 | Guyana Amazon Warriors | 2026 |
| 2 | Tomakunte Ritawa | 46y 299d | 5/19 | Cook Islands | 2022 |
| 3 | Imran Tahir | 46y 148d | 5/21 | Guyana Amazon Warriors | 2025 |
| 4 | Imran Tahir | 44y 323d | 5/26 | Rangpur Riders | 2024 |
| 5 | Prakash Mishra | 44y 165d | 5/16 | Bulgaria | 2023 |
| 6 | Imran Tahir | 42y 135d | 5/25 | Birmingham Phoenix | 2021 |
| 7 | Santha Moorthy | 41y 129d | 5/20 | Puducherry | 2021 |
| 8 | Kenute Tulloch | 41y 7d | 5/21 | Cayman Islands | 2006 |
| 9 | Michael Hogan | 40y 361d | 5/18 | Glamorgan | 2022 |
| 10 | Dilruwan Perera | 40y 315d | 5/14 | Burgher Recreation Club | 2023 |
Tahir’s five-for puts Kings under pressure
Tahir’s spell proved decisive as Saint Lucia Kings struggled to build a commanding total. The Kings were eventually helped by a crucial 38-run final-wicket partnership, which gave them a more respectable score after the Warriors’ bowlers had kept them under pressure. Tahir was the standout bowler, while Miraz also impressed with 3/13 from his four overs.Despite some disciplined bowling from the Saint Lucia Kings’ spinners, the target was ultimately not enough to prevent the Warriors from completing the chase. Phillips and Hope contributed useful runs before Sampson’s explosive 37 off just 11 balls provided the decisive finishing blow.The Warriors eventually sealed a four-wicket victory, bouncing back immediately after their rare defeat against the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons.‘My son is the main guy who’s been pushing me’: TahirAfter being named Player of the Match, Tahir revealed that his biggest motivation has come from his son, who continues to encourage him to keep playing.“My son, he’s the main guy who’s been pushing me. He keeps telling me, Daddy, one more year, one more year, and you need to play with me,” Tahir said after the match.
