Flavian Aponso’s world record is 25 years old today

Flavian Aponso batting for Netherlands against Pakistan in the 1996 World Cup match at Lahore where he set up a world record as the oldest batsman to score a half-century 

Does anyone remember that on this day (26 February) exactly 25 years ago Sri Lankan-born Flavian Aponso playing for the Netherlands in the 1996 Cricket World Cup match became the oldest batsman to make a half-century in the World Cup?

Aponso, a left-hand bat from St Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa and Sebastianites C&AC was aged 43 years 121 days when he scored 58 for Netherlands against Pakistan in Lahore batting at no. 5. He batted for 105 balls hitting one six and 3 fours and facing the pace of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Aaqib Javed and the leg spin of Mushtaq Ahmed. Netherlands made 145-7 in 50 overs and Pakistan went onto easily win the contest by eight wickets. 

Aponso remains the oldest batsman to make a half century in the World Cup.

Aponso moved to Holland after being banned by Sri Lanka for taking part in the 1982-’83 rebel tour to South Africa and was the mainstay of their batting till he quit his international career at the end of the 1996 World Cup which Sri Lanka went onto win.

After completing 25 years in the Netherlands as a professional cricketer and coach Aponso moved to the UK in 2005 where he is currently resident and got involved in coaching juniors with clubs in Harrow. (ST)