T20 WC 2026: Meet the Only Player from 2007 Edition Still Playing T20Is

The ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 is set to bring unrivalled twenty-over action from 20 top teams across 55 matches to millions of fans and viewers worldwide. Fans will get to see their favourite stars from different countries face each other for a chance to become T20 world champions.

One player is gradually grabbing headlines for his longevity in this tournament, even if his side has never won a T20 World Cup. Zimbabwe’s Brendan Taylor is the only cricketer to have featured in the first-ever T20 WC in 2007 and still active for his side 19 years later.

Who is Brendan Taylor?

Zimbabwe skipper Brendan Taylor is a wicketkeeper-batter and earns recognition as one of his country’s longest-serving sportsmen. Taylor continues to hold down his spot in Zimbabwe’s national team after breaking onto the international scene at the start of T20 World Cups.

Why is Brendan Taylor’s Longevity Remarkable?

Few cricketers get to spend few years and a handful of matches with the national team at any level, but Taylor is a special breed. The cricketer thrives even at an advanced age in a format popular for his physical demands on players.

Several top-rated T20I players are now retired from the format or called time on their entire careers.  

How Old Was Brendan Taylor When He Played His First T20 WC Match?

Taylor was 21 years old in September 2007 when he represented Zimbabwe in the tournament’s fourth match. His appearance at Newlands, Cape Town came against a tough Australian attacking contingent that included now-retired players like Brett Lee and Nathan Bracken.

The-then young Taylor marshalled the innings in one of the tournament’s greatest all-time upsets.   Taylor curated an unbeaten 60 runs off 45 balls to hand Australia their first-ever shock defeat in T20 WC history. His remarkable contribution also ensured Zimbabwe secured a 5-wicket victory after both teams played all allotted overs.

Did Taylor Retire from International Cricket at Any Time?

Taylor retired from international cricket for three years (2015 – 2017) before returning to Zimbabwe’s team. The cricketer bowed out of international cricket to secure a Kolpak deal in county cricket. His Kolpak deal ran at Nottinghamshire for three years before his eventual return to national team action for Zimbabwe in 2017. 

Who is the Last Cricketer to Win a T20 WC after Featuring in Its First Edition?

Veteran Team India batsman Rohit Sharma is the last cricketer to win a T20 WC after appearing in its 2007 edition. Sharma played for the Blue Shirts in 2007 and was part of the title-winning side in that campaign. The skilled batsman rolled back time with an iconic run in 2024 to register a second T20 WC title before retiring from cricket’s quickest international format. Sharma’s 2024 T20 WC victory earns him recognition among top cricketers to secure at least 2 ICC titles in a particular international format.

Sharma is no longer active in T20Is but hopes to retain a starting place for India’s ODI squad at the 2027 Cricket World Cup. He is one of few veteran players like Taylor who can still deliver on cricket’s biggest stage after 2 decades.

Some Top ‘Class of 2007’ Players Absent from T20 WC 2026

Several veterans of the 2007 T20 WC era achieved remarkable feats during their careers; however, these star players are no longer part of their country’s squads in the 2026 edition.   

Star players like Shakib Al Hasan once held the record for most tournament appearances in T20 WC history. The cricketer featured in all T20 WC editions since 2007, but he won’t take part in the 2026 tournament. Rohit Sharma also appeared in several T20 WC editions before retiring from the format in 2024.

Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule

Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026 Full Squad

Batters: Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa

Wicketkeepers: Clive Madande, Brendan Taylor

All-rounders: Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Bradley Evans

Fast Bowlers: Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Tinotenda Maposa

Spinners: Graeme Cremer, Wellington Masakadza

Zimbabwe Performance at T20 World Cups