Imran Tahir, 47, Sets Record as Oldest T20 Five-Wicket Taker
Imran Tahir took 5/17 for Guyana Amazon Warriors against Saint Lucia Kings at 47 years and 166 days, a men’s T20 age record and his career best.
By SportCricket Desk · 10 Sep 2026 · 3 min read
Imran Tahir has added another line to his long list of achievements. On September 10 at Providence Stadium, the 47-year-old South African leg-spinner took 5/17 from four overs for Guyana Amazon Warriors against Saint Lucia Kings, helping his side to a four-wicket win and becoming the oldest bowler to take five wickets in a men’s T20 match.
Passing a Cook Islands record
Tahir was 47 years and 166 days old. The previous mark belonged to Cook Islands spinner Tomakunte Ritawa, who took 5/19 against Fiji in Port Vila in 2022 at 46 years and 299 days.
A new personal best
The figures were also the best of Tahir’s men’s T20 career. His earlier best was 5/21 for Guyana against Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in 2025, when he was 46 years and 148 days old.
His five-wicket hauls
| Figures | Match | Age | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/17 | Guyana Amazon Warriors v Saint Lucia Kings | 47y 166d | 2026 |
| 5/21 | Guyana Amazon Warriors v Antigua and Barbuda Falcons | 46y 148d | 2025 |
| 5/26 | Rangpur Riders v Khulna Tigers | 44y 323d | 2024 |
| 5/25 | Birmingham Phoenix v Welsh Fire | 42y 135d | 2021 |
The list shows how long Tahir has kept taking wickets across different leagues, and he now holds several places among the oldest men to take a T20 five-for.
Still influential
The former South Africa international has remained a regular in franchise cricket long after his international career finished, and his work in the CPL has been especially effective. His spell against the Kings restricted them and gave the Warriors a platform to complete the chase.
