Pakistan’s veteran spinner Noman Ali has become a familiar name in the country’s cricketing history books, and the 39-year-old added another laurel to his accomplishments during Pakistan’s win in the first Test match against South Africa in Lahore.
The left-armer finished the match with a brilliant 10-wicket haul, helping him break a record held by the late, great Abdul Qadir for 37 years.
Noman Ali has now taken the most wickets by a Pakistani bowler across a five-match stretch, surpassing the legendary leg-spinner. With his 10 wickets against the Proteas, Noman has accumulated 46 wickets in his last five Tests—the most by any Pakistani in such a span. Qadir’s long-standing record was 44 wickets, achieved between 1987 and 1988.
Noman’s run began in October 2024 against England, where he took 11 wickets in the Multan Test. He followed that with 9 wickets in the next game against the same opposition, then claimed 16 wickets across two home Tests against the West Indies. He broke the record with another 10-wicket haul against South Africa.
Noman Ali’s consistency has been nothing short of remarkable. Over the past 12 months, he has been the most successful spinner in world cricket, especially on home soil.
At 39, Noman Ali’s resurgence is a testament to perseverance and experience. Once seen as a domestic stalwart, he now stands among the world’s elite, carrying Pakistan’s spin legacy forward with quiet determination and record-breaking impact.