At 47, Imran Tahir became the oldest player to take a five-wicket haul in T20 cricket after producing career-best figures for Guyana Amazon Warriors against St Lucia Kings.
The veteran legspinner returned 5 for 17 from four overs in Providence on September 9. He also helped restrict the Kings to 119 before Guyana completed the chase.
Tahir’s figures surpassed his previous best in the format during his 461st T20 appearance. He first played the shortest format in domestic cricket in Pakistan in 2006.
His latest record came after Guyana suffered their first defeat of the Caribbean Premier League season against Antigua & Barbuda Falcons on September 8.
Tahir bounced back immediately. He removed Kamil Pooran for 43 with a sharply turning wrong’un that trapped the batter lbw. He then dismissed Matthew Forde with another delivery that moved in to hit the top of off.
Tahir said his role involves controlling the middle overs while attacking for wickets.
“For me, my role is obviously to contain [the opposition] in the middle,” Tahir said. “I’m an attacking bowler. If the wickets come, I don’t mind.”
Yet his biggest motivation comes from home.
“I think my son is the main guy who has been pushing me,” Tahir said. “He keeps telling me: ‘Daddy, one more year…one more year and then you need to play with me’.”
Tahir said that message drives him to continue playing and also inspires the younger players watching him.
The spinner also credited his preparation for the performance.
“I put a lot of hard work into it and it’s nice to see how it comes out the way you want it,” he said. “It’s not the personal achievement I look for.”
Tahir has previously spoken about dedicating his goal celebrations to his son, who loves football. During the 2025 CPL, he explained that his son had asked him to copy the “Siuuu” celebration and Victor Gyökeres’ celebration.
His five-for proved decisive against the Kings, but Quentin Sampson then finished the job in spectacular fashion. He smashed an unbeaten 37 from only 11 balls at a strike rate of 336.36.
Guyana have already secured a place in the CPL playoffs. They face Trinbago Knight Riders in their penultimate group match on September 11.
