Pakistan’s Noman Ali has made a stunning leap in the ICC Test Bowler Rankings, climbing to a career-best No. 5 following his match-winning performance against the West Indies in Multan. The left-arm spinner, who has benefited significantly from Pakistan’s increasing reliance on spin-friendly tracks, has become a pillar of consistency for his team.
The second Test in Multan further reinforced his reputation, helping him reach a career-high rating of 806 and securing his first-ever appearance in the top five of the ICC Test Bowling Rankings.
Noman Ali’s rise comes on the back of a dominant spell in Multan, where he became the first Pakistani spinner to take a Test hat-trick. The slow, turning conditions played right into his strengths, allowing him to outfox the West Indies batters. His performances in recent months have been instrumental in Pakistan’s spin-heavy attack, with his partnership alongside Sajid Khan earning widespread praise.
Now, Noman Ali’s ranking places him among the world’s elite bowlers, with only ICC Cricketer of the Year Jasprit Bumrah, Australian captain Pat Cummins, South African pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada, and Josh Hazlewood ahead of him.
| Rank | Team | Player | Rating | Career-Best Rating (Opponent, Venue, Year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | Jasprit Bumrah | 908 | 908 vs Australia, Sydney, 2025 |
| 2 | Australia | Pat Cummins | 841 | 914 vs England, Old Trafford, 2019 |
| 3 | South Africa | Kagiso Rabada | 837 | 902 vs Australia, Gqeberha, 2018 |
| 4 | Australia | Josh Hazlewood | 835 | 864 vs India, Bengaluru, 2017 |
| 5 | Pakistan | Noman Ali | 806 | 806 vs West Indies, Multan, 2025 |
| 6 | South Africa | Marco Jansen | 785 | 803 vs Pakistan, Centurion, 2024 |
| 7 | New Zealand | Matt Henry | 782 | 782 vs England, Hamilton, 2024 |
| 8 | Australia | Nathan Lyon | 774 | 801 vs New Zealand, Christchurch, 2024 |
| 9 | Sri Lanka | Prabath Jayasuriya | 768 | 801 vs New Zealand, Galle, 2024 |
| 10 | India | Ravindra Jadeja | 745 | 899 vs Australia, Ranchi, 2017 |
Meanwhile, Sajid Khan sits at No. 21 after playing a crucial role in the series against the West Indies.
Noman Ali’s consistent performances have given Pakistan a genuine match-winning spinner, something the team has struggled to find since the Saeed Ajmal and Yasir Shah era. If he continues this form, he could challenge for a top-three ranking and cement his status as one of the best modern-day spinners in world cricket.