Hat-trick hero Noman Ali scripts massive record, becomes first Pakistani to notch this big milestone

Noman Ali achieved a historic feat during the second Test between Pakistan and West Indies on January 25. In a remarkable display of spin bowling, Noman claimed a hat-trick in the first session, leaving the West Indies reeling at 44 for 7. This stunning performance came after the West Indies, having won the toss, elected to bat first, a decision that spectacularly backfired.

Following early breakthroughs by debutant Kasif Ali and Sajid Khan, Noman Ali was introduced as the first change bowler. The 38-year-old immediately made his presence felt, dismissing a West Indies batter in his opening over. Within an hour of play in the first session, Noman achieved a historic feat, claiming a hat-trick. He dismissed Justin Greaves (1), Tevin Imlach (0), and Kevin Sinclair (0) on the first three balls of the 12th over, leaving the West Indies reeling.

Noman Ali etched his name in Pakistan's cricketing history by becoming the first-ever spin bowler from the country to claim a hat-trick in Test cricket. This remarkable achievement places him among a select group of only five Pakistani bowlers to have achieved this rare feat. This is the sixth instance of a Pakistani player claiming a Test hat-trick. Furthermore, Noman is the fourth Pakistani bowler to achieve this feat on home soil. Notably, Noman is the first Pakistani bowler to claim a hat-trick against a non-Asian nation.

Pakistani bowlers with hattricks in Tests:

Noman Ali has achieved a massive milestone by becoming the second-oldest bowler in Test cricket history to claim a hat-trick. At 38 years and 110 days old, he narrowly missed surpassing Rangana Herath's world record. Herath, at 38 years and 139 days, holds the record for the oldest bowler to achieve a hat-trick, a feat he accomplished for Sri Lanka against Australia in 2016 at Galle, dismissing Adam Voges, Peter Nevil, and Mitchell Starc.

Noman Ali has been a key figure in Pakistan's resurgence in Test cricket, particularly at home. Since returning to the team for the second Test against England in October 2024, he has been a prolific wicket-taker, claiming 30 wickets in just four matches (seven innings). His exceptional performances earned him the ICC Player of the Month award in October.