Former South Africa spinner Imran Tahir created a new record in T20 cricket during the Caribbean Premier League 2026. Playing for the Guyana Amazon Warriors against the St Lucia Kings, Tahir took five wickets for just 17 runs.
At the age of 47 years and 166 days, Tahir became the oldest player to take a five-wicket haul in a T20 match. He broke the previous record held by Tomakunte Ritawa of the Cook Islands, who had taken 5/19 against Fiji in 2022 at the age of 46 years and 299 days.
How did Imran Tahir create the T20 record?
Tahir finished with figures of 5/17 and played a key role in helping the Guyana Amazon Warriors restrict the St Lucia Kings. This was Tahir’s sixth five-wicket haul in T20 cricket. His latest performance showed that he can still make a big impact despite being 47 years old. The record also adds to Tahir’s long career in the shortest format of the game.
Which team was Imran Tahir playing for?
Imran Tahir was playing for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean Premier League. The Amazon Warriors were chasing a target of 120 but found themselves in trouble at 98/5. They needed 22 runs from the final 17 balls.
Quentin Sampson then changed the game completely. He scored an unbeaten 37 runs from just 11 balls, hitting five sixes and one four to take the Amazon Warriors to victory.
How did Imran Tahir take his five wickets?
The St Lucia Kings started well after choosing to bat first. They reached 51/1 during the powerplay.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz, playing his first CPL match, gave the Amazon Warriors an early breakthrough. The bowlers then started putting pressure on the Kings.
Tahir soon made his mark. He dismissed Kamil Pooran, who had scored 43 runs from 35 balls, by trapping him LBW. Tahir then struck again with his very next delivery. This time, he trapped St Lucia Kings captain Roston Chase LBW for just one run. He continued to trouble the Kings’ batters and finished with an excellent 5/17.
What does this win mean for Guyana Amazon Warriors?
The win was important for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the CPL 2026 league table. After beating the St Lucia Kings, the Amazon Warriors moved to 14 points, one point ahead of the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons. The St Lucia Kings, meanwhile, suffered their third straight defeat.
How successful has Imran Tahir been for South Africa?
Imran Tahir had a long international career with South Africa and was one of the country’s main spin bowlers for many years. He played 20 Tests, 107 ODIs and 38 T20Is for South Africa. He took 57 Test wickets, 173 ODI wickets and 63 T20I wickets.
His latest CPL performance is another reminder of his long career in T20 cricket. At 47, Tahir continues to play a major role for the Guyana Amazon Warriors and has now added another record to his name.