5 oldest batsmen to score their maiden T20I fifty

A myth that keeps floating up every time T20s are discussed is that old legs can’t hold their own in the shortest format of the game. The lean and condensed look of the T20 format makes it seem imperative for the players to be young and zestful, but the likes of Brad Hogg, Ashish Nehra, and now, Michael Klinger continue to conveniently buck the trend.

Earlier this month, MS Dhoni, aged 35, scored his first fifty after close to a decade of playing T20Is. With his fifty against Sri Lanka in the third T20I, Klinger has pipped the former Indian captain, joining the list of players who were the oldest to reach their maiden T20I fifty:

Michael Klinger (36 y 233 d)

The ‘Jewish Bradman’, as he is called, saw his dream come true when he was picked up for the T20I squad against Sri Lanka at the ripe young age of 36. After scores of 38 and 43 in the first and second T20Is, Klinger managed to breach the 50-run barrier in the third T20I against Sri Lanka, powering the side to a score of 187. He scored 62 while opening the batting with Aaron Finch, forging a 79 run opening partnership.

His call-up came on the back of consistent performances in the domestic circuit and a fruitful season for the Perth Scorchers who went on to become champions of the 2017 edition of the Big Bash.

Shaiman Anwar (36 y 252 d)

Little known UAE batsman Anwar, who was born in Pakistan, is a compulsive six-hitter, with the ability to clear ropes with ease. Currently part of the UAE outfit, the right-hander made his debut for the Emirati side in 2014.

Playing against Oman in a T20I in 2015, Anwar, playing batting one-down, helped usurp the 133-run target with his maiden fifty, scoring 54 off just 43 balls with four fours and a six. Since then, he has scored three more T20I fifties, the last of which was against Afghanistan in January this year.

Sanath Jayasuriya (37 y 115 d)

The ageless wonder of Sri Lankan cricket, Sanath Jayasuriya’s career, spread across decades, saw him achieve wonders with his blistering strikes at the top of the order. If he were born a decade or two later, he would have owned the shortest format with his game. T20s came, but by then, Jayasuriya was already past his prime.

His first T20 fifty came at the age of 37, in only his second T20I game, where he ripped the West Indian attack apart with a scorching 81 off just 47 balls, studded with 10 fours and three sixes. He continued playing well into his 40s, finally ending his 22-year international career in 2011.

Steve Tikolo (38 y 224 d)

The shining light of Kenyan cricket for close to two decades, Steve Tikolo, with his versatile game that switched between attack and defence, compiled bucketloads of runs for his country. With a penchant to score big against quality opponents, there was no doubting Tikolo’s gameplay.

Batting against Scotland on his home ground during the ICC World T20 qualifiers in 2010, Tikolo, with David Obuya for company, gulped down the meagre 126-run target in just 14.3 overs. His next big knock, an unbeaten 50 came just six days after he had scored the fifty against Scotland at Nairobi.

Trent Johnston (39 y 215 d)

Bald and tall, “Chicken Dance” Trent Johnston served Ireland cricket from 2006-2013, leading them with intent during their participation in the 2007 World Cup (not to forget the memorable win against Zimbabwe). A nagging fast bowler brought up in Australia, Johnston could use the long handle to good effect whenever the situation asked.

In his final T20I innings, he managed to score a rapid 62, peppered with five fours and four sixes, to help Ireland steamroll Afghanistan in the final of the ICC World T20 qualifiers. If that wasn’t enough, he came back to snap three wickets, going home with the Man of the Match trophy by his side.