Pakistan's 38-year-old left-arm spinner Noman Ali scripted history at Multan Cricket Stadium on January 25. Noman became the first Pakistan spinner to take a hat-trick in Test cricket. Overall, he is the fifth Pakistan bowler to take a hat-trick in the format.Β
The first to do it was Wasim Akram against Sri Lanka. He followed it up with another hat-trick against Sri Lanka in 1999. A few months later in 2000, Abdul Razzaq did it against Sri Lanka as well. In 2022, Mohammad Sami bagged a hat-trick against Sri Lanka. Nearly two decades later, Naseem Shah joined the elite list with a hat-trick against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi in 2020.
On Day 1 of the second Test which favoured the spinners from the first ball, Noman was introduced in the eighth over of the innings, replacing pacer Kashif Ali. In the 12th over, he got the wickets of Justin Greaves, Tevin Imlach and Kevin Sinclair to achieve the rare feat. He is also the first bowler to take a Test hat-trick in Multan. In addition, he is the eighth bowler to take a hat-trick against West Indies.
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Noman's hat-trick wickets
Greaves was caught at the second slip by Babar Azam. Imlach could not pick the fuller delivery as he went for a sweep and got out lbw. Noman's hat-trick wicket was Sinclair. He was caught by Babar at second slip as well.Β They lost seven wickets for just 38 runs.
Noman takes six-fer
Earlier, Noman's first wicket of the day was opener and captain Kraigg Brathwaite. He was hit on the front pad and the umpire raised his finger. Brathwaite scored just nine runs.Β
In the 28th over, the veteran spinner completed his fifer with the wicket of Kemar Roach who scored 25 runs from 45 balls. Roach and Gudakesh Motie shared a crucial 41-run partnership for the ninth wicket. HeΒ also put an end to the 10th wicket partnership with Motie's wicket. He scored 55 runs from 87 balls and shared a 68-run stand with Jomel Warrican who scored 36 runs from 40 deliveries.
Noman bowled 15.1 overs including three maidens, conceded 41 runs and took six wickets. He helped the hosts bowl out West Indies for 163 in 41.1 overs.