NEW DELHI: There is no stopping Imran Tahir, even at 46, as the former South Africa spinner continues to make batters dance to his tunes while breaking world records in T20 cricket. The right-arm leg spinner Tahir returned with a five-wicket haul to fashion Guyana Amazon Warriors' massive 83-run victory over the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) on Friday.
Tahir, At 46 years and 148 days, etched his name into the record books by becoming the second-oldest player to claim a five-wicket haul (5/21) in all recorded T20 cricket. Cook Islands' Tomakanute Ritawa owns the top spot for his 5/19 against Fiji in 2022 .
Oldest bowler to take five wickets in an innings
Tomakanute Ritawa – 46 years, 299 days
Imran Tahir – 46 years, 148 days
Imran Tahir – 44 years, 323 days
Prakash Mishra – 44 years, 165 days
Imran Tahir – 42 years, 135 days
Tahir also made history by becoming the oldest captain to claim a five-wicket haul in T20 cricket, surpassing Malawi captain Moazzam Ali Baig's record set against Cameroon in September 2004. He is also the first player to achieve this milestone in his forties.
The Warriors captain showcased exceptional bowling while defending a total of 211 runs. Tahir made an immediate impact after the powerplay, dismissing Shakib Al Hasan via stumping. He then removed opposing captain Imad Wasim for a duck, followed by Shamar Springer lbw in consecutive overs, before completing his five-wicket haul by bowling out the last two batters.
This marks Tahir’s fifth five-wicket haul in T20 cricket, a feat that places him alongside renowned bowlers such as Lasith Malinga, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shaheen Afridi, and Shakib Al Hasan. David Wiese currently leads the list with seven five-wicket hauls.
His latest figures of 5/21 against the Falcons in North Sound add to an impressive career tally, which also includes five-wicket performances against Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Fire, and Khulna across different venues and years.
