PALLEKELE, SRI LANKA : Amid the disappointment of back-to-back heavy defeats, Oman’s veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nadeem carved out a slice of history at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Thursday – even as he refused to let the milestone distract from his team’s struggles.

At 43 years and 161 days, Nadeem became the oldest cricketer in history to score a half-century in a T20 World Cup, compiling a fighting unbeaten 53 against Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

In doing so, he surpassed a long-standing mark held by Sri Lanka’s current head coach Sanath Jayasuriya, who was 39 years and 345 days when he struck a fifty against West Indies in the 2009 edition in Nottingham. In an intriguing twist, Jayasuriya was present at the venue in his capacity as Sri Lanka head coach when his record was eclipsed.

Nadeem’s landmark knock also made him the oldest player in the world to register a half-century in any ICC tournament, eclipsing Netherlands’ Flavian Aponso, who was 43 years and 121 days when he scored 58 against Pakistan in the 1996 ODI World Cup.

The personal feat, however, came in a 105-run defeat after Sri Lanka piled up 225, a total Oman never seriously threatened.

Despite the achievement, Nadeem’s focus remained firmly on the collective. “We are a much better team than what we have performed in the last two games at this World Cup. Yes, we were outplayed in both the matches, but our team has much better potential and skill.”

Sri Lanka’s batters dominated from the outset, leaving Oman chasing the game. “Sri Lanka batted us out. Having scored 225, it was a too much for us to chase. Had our bowlers did better and kept them around 170-180, then we could have given a fight. Our bowling didn’t come good.”

Nadeem was equally candid in assessing the gulf in execution. “Sri Lanka are one of best teams in the world and their batters did capitalise on the loose deliveries on offer. With such world-class batters on the wicket, you can’t afford to bowl below par.”

With hopes of advancing to the Super Eights now extinguished, Oman turn their attention to restoring pride in their remaining fixtures – against Ireland at the SSC in Colombo on Saturday and former champions Australia in Pallekele on February 20.

Nadeem believes the team can still finish on a positive note. “Irrespective of the defeats, we need to regroup faster and stay positive. We have to showcase our abilities at this grand stage and I believe we will perform in the coming two games, starting against Ireland.”

And in a final note of defiance, he underlined his faith in the side. “We have to play fearless cricket. We still have two games and we hope to have good results in at least one match. The two results may show that we are a weak team but I can tell one thing, we are not as bad a team as the results have shown.”

For Nadeem, the record books will reflect longevity and resilience. For Oman, the greater challenge lies in proving that their potential runs deeper than the results suggest.

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