In a truly memorable Asia Cup encounter in Abu Dhabi, 43-year-old Aamir Kaleem, an opening batsman for Oman, completely rewrote expectations with a remarkable performance against world champions India. Despite battling intense heat, humidity, and painful cramps throughout his innings, Kaleem scored a valiant 64 runs off just 46 balls, igniting genuine hope for Oman to pull off one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.
Kaleem’s journey in cricket is nothing short of extraordinary. Having emigrated from Pakistan, he has been a consistent presence in Oman’s cricketing setup since 2012, adapting his role significantly over the years. He initially began his career as a left-arm spinner batting at number 11, slowly moving up the order to contribute valuable runs, though he was primarily known for his bowling prowess. A brief absence from the squad in early 2022 suggested his international career might be drawing to a close. However, a spirited comeback in late 2024 saw him reinvented as an opener, a position he has since made his own.
His impressive form this year includes his maiden T20I fifty, an unbeaten 72 against the USA. Against the formidable Indian side, the stakes were undeniably higher and the challenge far tougher, yet Kaleem rose to the occasion with unwavering resolve. Forming a crucial 93-run partnership for the second wicket with Hammad Mirza, who also contributed a solid 51 runs, Kaleem brought Oman within striking distance of India’s challenging total of 188. For a tense period, it seemed the Asia Cup holders were genuinely rattled as Oman’s chase gained thrilling momentum.
[Image: Oman’s Aamir Kaleem celebrates after scoring a half-century against India.]
The dream of an upset eventually faded when Hardik Pandya, with an incredible boundary-line catch, dismissed Kaleem off Harshit Rana’s bowling. Pandya then went on to remove Mirza in the very next over, effectively turning the tide in India’s favor. India ultimately secured a 21-run victory, with Arshdeep Singh notably claiming his 100th T20I wicket during the match.
Earlier in the innings, India had posted a strong total thanks to Sanju Samson’s 56 and Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 38. However, Kaleem and Mirza ensured that Oman would not surrender without a fierce contest. Beyond his batting heroics, Kaleem also made an impact with the ball, taking two wickets for 31 runs, completing a fine all-round display.
[Image: Oman’s Aamir Kaleem celebrates taking the wicket of India’s Shivam Dube.]
Oman’s captain, Jatinder Singh, perfectly encapsulated the team’s fighting spirit following the match: “I am extremely proud of the unit. The way they came up, they had their plans and executed them well… So proud of the way they have shown their character in the crunch situation.”
For Oman, Aamir Kaleem’s memorable innings was far more significant than just the runs scored. It served as a powerful reminder that with experience, resilience, and an unyielding fighting spirit, even a 43-year-old can challenge and impress on the grandest cricketing stage.