Imran Tahir keen to return for CPL 2027 at age 48 to finish career in Guyana

Imran Tahir, captain of Guyana Amazon Warriors, has expressed his keen desire to return to the Caribbean Premier League in 2027 at the age of 48. The veteran spinner delivered an outstanding performance in CPL 2026, finishing as joint-highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 16 wickets, level with Hunain Shah, Alzarri Joseph and Matthew Forde. His contributions came as the Warriors reached Qualifier 2 before losing to Jamaica Kingsmen, who went on to finish as runners-up in the competition.

Tahir has become a cornerstone figure in CPL history since joining the competition in 2018. He has accumulated 146 wickets from 102 CPL games, all played for Guyana Amazon Warriors, and recently became the first overseas player to reach the milestone of 100 CPL appearances. More significantly, he has overtaken Sunil Narine to become the leading wicket-taker in CPL overall history.

“I’m very keen to come back and play because I feel this is my home. I get a lot of love when I come here. So look, I’m very motivated. I really wanted to finish [this season] on a high note, and probably I’m looking to finish my career, obviously, in front of the Guyanese crowd. I just want to say a big thank you to them. I would really like to see myself coming here and say goodbye,” said Tahir as quoted by Cricinfo.

Record-breaking performance at 47

On September 10, 2026, Tahir delivered a career-best T20 bowling performance of 5 for 17 against Saint Lucia Kings at Providence Stadium, breaking the world record as the oldest bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in men’s T20 cricket. This surpassed his own previous record of 46 years and 148 days, which he had set in CPL 2025 against Antigua and Barbuda Falcons. The achievement underscored his exceptional fitness and technical mastery at an advanced age in professional cricket.

“I get motivated to come here and play my cricket, trying to get fit, eat well. It is not easy because if someone is eating ice cream and I’m in front of them, it’s very difficult to control yourself. But that’s what you have to do if you want to play for another year and another year,” said Tahir.

“There will be questions about me, and I’m the kind a guy that like challenges and stuff. For me, my part is to give my role not as a captain, but as a player towards the team. I think I tried my best, so obviously I leave it with the management, I leave it with the team owner and the president, they have to decide where my future will be,” he concluded.