Sep 06, Kathmandu - Former New Zealand cricket captain Ross Taylor is set to make a comeback to international cricket at the age of 41. However, he is not planning to return from New Zealand.

Taylor will play for Samoa in the Asia-East Asia-Pacific Qualifier for the 2026 T20 World Cup in Oman. Samoa had previously qualified for the qualifiers by defeating Vanuatu, Cook Islands and Fiji.

Taylor has been included in Samoa's 15-man squad.

Samoa will be captained by Caleb Jasmat. Taylor said he was excited about the new opportunity and was honoured to represent his mother's homeland. He also said he had always wanted to help his mother's community in some way.

Taylor last played a T20 international in November 2020 and has not played competitive cricket since December 2023. Taylor, 41, expressed hope that he would perform well for Samoa despite not being as fit as he used to be due to his age.

Along with Taylor, the team also includes veteran New Zealander Sean Solia, 32. The batting lineup also includes players like Darius Visser, who made a record 39 runs in an over against Vanuatu's Nalin Nipiko, which included six sixes.

Samoa, Papua New Guinea and Japan will represent the East Asia-Pacific region in the qualifiers, while Oman, Nepal, Kuwait, Malaysia, Qatar and the UAE will be the other competing countries. Samoa will play Papua New Guinea and Oman in the first round.

Nepal will play Japan and Kuwait in the first round of the qualifiers to be held in Oman from October 8. The top two teams from each of the three groups will advance to the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year. In the Super-6, one team will compete against the four teams from the other two groups. In this case, Samoa and Nepal, if they top their groups, will be able to play against each other in the Super Six.