Pakistan left-arm spinner Noman Ali made Test history during the first match against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, becoming the oldest player ever to reach 100 wickets in the format.
The milestone came when Noman Ali dismissed Mehidy Hasan Miraz, taking his tally to 100 Test wickets and placing himself in an elite group of Pakistan bowlers. He also removed Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Taijul Islam in another influential outing with the ball.
At 39 years and 217 days, Noman set a new record for the oldest player to reach the 100-wicket mark in Test cricket. In doing so, he broke a record that had stood for nearly 130 years. The previous oldest player to the milestone was England’s Bobby Peel, who got there in 1896 at the age of 39 years and 180 days.
The achievement added another major milestone to Noman Ali’s late-blooming Test career. He also became the joint fourth-fastest Pakistani bowler to complete 100 Test wickets, getting there in his 22nd Test.
That places him alongside Fazal Mahmood on Pakistan’s all-time list, behind only Yasir Shah, Saeed Ajmal, Waqar Younis, and Mohammad Asif in terms of matches taken to the landmark.
Noman Ali has become one of Pakistan’s most remarkable red-ball stories in recent years, and this latest feat has now given him a place in global Test history as well.
Oldest Players to Reach 100 Test Wickets
| Player | Team | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Noman Ali | Pakistan | 39y 217d |
| Bobby Peel | England | 39y 180d |
| Ray Illingworth | England | 39y 30d |
| Clarrie Grimmett | Australia | 39y 22d |
| Sydney Barnes | England | 38y 310d |
Fastest Pakistani Bowlers to 100 Test Wickets
| Player | Matches |
|---|---|
| Yasir Shah | 17 |
| Saeed Ajmal | 19 |
| Waqar Younis | 20 |
| Mohammad Asif | 20 |
| Noman Ali | 22* |
| Fazal Mahmood | 22 |
