MIRPUR: Pakistan veteran spinner Noman Ali shattered a 130-year-old record during the ongoing first Test against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
The left-arm spinner achieved the feat after dismissing Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 24 in Bangladesh’s second innings to complete 100 wickets in Test cricket.
At the age of 39 years and 217 days, Noman became the oldest player in Test history to reach the milestone. In doing so, he surpassed former England spinner Bobby Peel, who had completed 100 Test wickets at the age of 39 years and 180 days back in 1896.
Oldest players to complete 100 wickets in Test cricket
- 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
Noman’s journey in Test cricket has been one of the most remarkable late success stories in Pakistan cricket. The spinner from Sanghar made his Test debut in 2021 against South Africa in Karachi at the age of 34.
He enjoyed a memorable start to his Test career by taking two wickets in the first innings before returning with a five-wicket haul in the second innings, becoming the 12th Pakistani bowler to claim a five-for on debut.
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Since then, Noman has represented Pakistan in 22 Test matches and now has 101 wickets at an average of 25.08. The experienced spinner has registered nine five-wicket hauls in the format, while also claiming 10 wickets in a match on three occasions.
He also became the 21st Pakistani bowler to complete 100 wickets in Test cricket.
Notably, Pakistan’s highest wicket-taker in Test cricket remains legendary pacer Wasim Akram with 414 wickets. Former fast bowlers Waqar Younis and Imran Khan follow with 373 and 362 wickets respectively.
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