ISLAMABAD: At an age when most cricketers start contemplating retirement, Pakistan’s Noman Ali continues to redefine persistence and performance.
Affectionately known as ‘Chachu’ in the dressing room, Noman has quietly evolved into Pakistan’s most dependable force in Test cricket. His relentless accuracy, unwavering fitness, and mastery of spin have not only earned him admiration but also reshaped Pakistan’s Test fortunes in recent years.
Yet, it remains baffling that a player with such influence still languishes in Category C of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s central contracts. Why is Pakistan’s most consistent match-winner not valued accordingly? Let’s dig in.
Breaking records, defying age
In Pakistan’s historic 93-run victory over defending World Test Champions South Africa in Lahore this week, Noman once again rose to the occasion. His 10-wicket haul (10/191) was his third in just 20 Tests, an extraordinary feat achieved by only 11 other players in cricket history within a few matches.
He now joins an elite club alongside Fazal Mahmood, Sydney Barnes, and Australia’s C.V. Grimmett — bowlers who defined their eras. Even legends like Muttiah Muralidaran, Shane Warne, and Ravichandran Ashwin didn’t reach this milestone so early in their careers.
Noman’s match-turning spells against England, West Indies, and now South Africa highlight his reliability. Eleven and nine wickets against England, six and ten versus West Indies, and another ten against South Africa, these numbers speak of a spinner at the peak of his craft.
Dominance backed by numbers
Since making a late Test debut in 2021 at 35, Noman has become Pakistan’s most trusted match-winner in the longer format, a bowler capable of altering the course of a game on his own.
Over 20 Tests, he has taken 93 wickets at an impressive average of 24.15, including nine five-fors and three ten-wicket match hauls. No Pakistani bowler has claimed more wickets during this period. He leads the pack ahead of Shaheen Shah Afridi (81), Sajid Khan (64), Hasan Ali (49), and Abrar Ahmed (46).
In the past year alone, Noman’s form has been sensational, 52 wickets at a remarkable average of 15.21 since July 2023, the best by any bowler in the world over that span.
A tireless workhorse
Beyond the stats, it’s Noman’s work ethic that truly defines him. In the recent Lahore Test, Pakistan bowled 144.5 overs, and Noman shouldered 63 of them, a testament to his stamina and commitment. His ability to maintain accuracy, extract turn, and sustain pressure makes him indispensable in the red-ball format.
At 39, his endurance and discipline remain unmatched, setting a benchmark for the next generation of Pakistani spinners.
Recognition overdue
Despite his remarkable consistency, it’s disappointing that Noman remains in Category C of the PCB’s central contracts, a slot that hardly does justice to his impact. For a player who has carried Pakistan’s spin attack for nearly four years, higher recognition is long overdue.
A case for T20 inclusion
With the T20 World Cup 2026 set to be played in spin-friendly conditions across India and Sri Lanka, Pakistan’s lack of experienced spinners could once again be exposed. Given Noman’s control, temperament, and ability to deceive with flight and drift, he could be a surprise yet valuable addition to Pakistan’s T20 setup.
In a format dominated by mystery and wrist-spinners, his classical left-arm orthodox style could bring control and stability, especially on turning tracks.
An underrated legend in the making
From being a late bloomer to becoming Pakistan’s most consistent Test bowler, Noman Ali’s journey embodies resilience, patience, and quiet excellence. He may not command the spotlight like Shaheen or Naseem, but his numbers tell a story of dominance and reliability few can match.
At 39, Noman continues to prove that age is just a number, not a limitation, in the story of a spinner who refuses to stop rewriting Pakistan’s Test history.
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