LAHORE (Dunya News) – Pakistan left-arm spinner Noman Ali has etched his name into cricket history after becoming the oldest player ever to complete 100 wickets in Test cricket during the opening Test against Bangladesh national cricket team at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
The 39-year-old reached the landmark after dismissing Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 24 in the hosts’ second innings. The breakthrough took Noman to 100 Test wickets and placed him among an elite list of Pakistan bowlers to achieve the feat.
At 39 years and 217 days, Noman surpassed former England spinner Bobby Peel, who had previously held the record after reaching the milestone at 39 years and 180 days in 1896. The Pakistan spinner now tops a list that also includes former England captain Ray Illingworth, Australia great Clarrie Grimmett and England legend Sydney Barnes.
Noman also dismissed Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and spinner Taijul Islam during an influential spell in Mirpur.
The veteran spinner achieved the milestone in his 22nd Test match, making him the joint fourth-fastest Pakistani bowler to reach 100 Test wickets alongside legendary pacer Fazal Mahmood. Former leg-spinner Yasir Shah remains Pakistan’s fastest to the mark, having completed 100 wickets in just 17 Tests.
Noman’s rise in international cricket has been one of Pakistan’s most remarkable late-career success stories. Hailing from Sanghar, he made his Test debut against South Africa national cricket team in Karachi in 2021 at the age of 34. He announced himself in memorable fashion with a five-wicket haul in the second innings, becoming the 12th Pakistani bowler to take a five-for on Test debut.
Since then, Noman has featured in 22 Test matches, claiming 101 wickets at an average of 25.08. He has registered nine five-wicket hauls and taken 10 wickets in a match on three occasions. The left-arm spinner also became the 21st Pakistani bowler to complete 100 wickets in Test cricket.
Pakistan’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker remains legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram with 414 wickets, followed by Waqar Younis with 373 and former captain Imran Khan with 362.