T20 cricket is often seen as a young player’s game, where quick running between the wickets, aggressive batting, and agile fielding take center stage.
However, the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, starting on February 7, proves that experience, intelligence, and mental strength are just as important as youth in this fast-paced format.
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Several teams have placed their trust in senior players, who, despite their age, still have the ability to change the course of a match.
Here are five experienced cricketers taking part in the T20 World Cup 2026, showing that in cricket, age is just a number:
Muhammad Nadeem (Oman) – 43 years
Oman’s all-rounder Muhammad Nadeem is the oldest player in this year’s T20 World Cup. At 43, he remains a key pillar of the team. Nadeem has played 70 T20 Internationals, scoring 768 runs and taking 40 wickets.
Wayne Madsen (Italy) – 42 years
Italy’s captain Wayne Madsen is another senior player in the tournament. Born in Durban, the right-handed batsman took over captaincy earlier this year and leads Italy into the World Cup.
He turned 42 on January 2 and has played seven T20 Internationals, scoring 205 runs at an average of 34.16.
READ: How to watch T20 World Cup 2026 for free online
Madsen recently played a crucial innings of 61 against Ireland, proving his form and experience remain valuable.
Roelof van der Merwe (Netherlands) – 41 years
Roelof van der Merwe is one of the few players to have represented two countries in international cricket. Starting his career with South Africa, he later joined the Netherlands team.
Van der Merwe turned 41 on December 31 last year. He has played 67 T20 Internationals, scoring 561 runs and taking 74 wickets.
Tapmad will stream the T20 World Cup 2026, allowing cricket fans to watch all the live action through its website and mobile application.
His all-round skills and experience will be crucial for the Netherlands squad in the tournament.
Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan) – 41 years
Mohammad Nabi has been part of Afghanistan cricket since its early days and played in the 2010 T20 World Cup, the country’s first appearance in the event.
He has also captained the Afghan team. Nabi turned 41 on January 1 and has played 148 T20 Internationals, scoring 2,430 runs and taking 104 wickets.
His batting and off-spin bowling, particularly in subcontinent conditions, will be key for Afghanistan in the World Cup.
Brendan Taylor (Zimbabwe) – 40 years
Experienced Zimbabwean batsman Brendan Taylor recently returned to international cricket after serving a suspension under ICC’s anti-corruption policy.
Turning 40 on February 6, just a day before the tournament, Taylor has played 58 T20 Internationals for Zimbabwe, scoring 1,185 runs with an average of 23.70.
He has one century and six half-centuries in the format. Last year, he scored a remarkable 123 against Botswana, making him the oldest player from a full-member nation to score a T20 International century.
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These senior players highlight the importance of experience in T20 cricket. Their presence in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 adds depth, leadership, and strategic insight to their respective teams, proving that age is no barrier to impact on the field.
