Pakistan’s left-arm spinner, Noman Ali, has got his career-high rating and closed in on the top spot currently held by the premier Indian pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, after making big strides in the ICC Men’s Test Bowler rankings. Noman collected the 10-wicket haul during their 93-run victory over the South Africa side at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and moved up four places.

The left-arm Pakistan spinner has now collected 853 rating points as he stays behind India's Bumrah by 29 points. He wasn’t the only player of the side to make the huge jump as their left-arm pacer, Shaheen Afridi, who just got his ODI captaincy, rose three places to 19th on the same list for the Test bowlers following his four-wicket haul in the second innings.

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ICC Test Bowling raking as of October 22, 2025

Noman Ali gets second spot after Jasprit Bumrah in ICC Test Bowlers’ ranking 

Pakistan players also made some ground on the ICC Test batters’ rankings following the good scores against the Proteas, as Mohammed Rizwan went up four spots to 16th, while Babar Azam has gone up two rungs to 22nd. Salman Ali Agha has also risen eight places in the charts, still headed by England’s veteran, Joe Root.

There are also changes in the ICC ODI rankings. Stand-in captain, Mitchell Marsh, has gained two places to improve to 42nd overall, while Josh Hazlewood has jumped six spots to move to 10th among the ODI bowlers.

India’s right-arm pacer, Mohammed Siraj, re-entered the rankings in the 17th position following his first ODI appearance in more than a year. Bangladesh spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz has risen six places to 18th after his efforts against the West Indies over the last week. Harry Brook has gained 18 places to move to equal 20th on the latest rankings for T20I batters.

A clinical win for Pakistan against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Pakistan won the first of the 2-match Test series swiftly, by 93 runs, for their well-rounded performance. With this win, the home team is now leading the match by 1-0; the next match is scheduled to be played on October 20 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. 

First Innings

Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first. They used the freshness of the wicket well enough to register a total of 378 runs in their first innings. Imam-ul-Haq (93), Salman Ali Agha (93), Shan Masood (76), and Mohammad Rizwan (75) batted well. But Noman Ali, a 39-year-old spinner, appeared as the decisive factor of the match. Ali was named Man of the Match for his 10-wicket haul. In the match innings, he took 6 wickets to go with the second innings' 4-wicket figure. 

South African batters faced a major hurdle to find runs on a spin-friendly wicket. In both innings, they struggled with their batting. Against Pakistan's 378, SA scored 269 runs in their first innings. Tony de Zorzi batted brilliantly and scored 104 runs under tough conditions. Ryan Rickelton was the only batter of the team who batted well in both phases of the match. After scoring 71 runs in the first innings, the opener notched 45 runs in the second. 

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Second Innings 

The match got more interesting during the second innings when the touring side bundled Pakistan out for only 167 runs. Senuran Muthusamy grabbed 5 wickets, and Simon Harmer grabbed 4 wickets. South Africa had to score 277 runs to win the match. 

The target was not hard to chase, but the wicket was. In addition, the spin bowling of Noman Ali made batting very challenging on the 4th day, when the deck dried up more. Noman took 4, along with Shaheen Afridi, who clinched 4 more wickets to confirm Pakistan's victory over the World Test Championship (WTC) winning team. Dewald Brevis played a brilliant counter-attacking half century, but that was not enough to meet the target. South Africa got only 183 runs; Pakistan won by 93 runs. 

An entertaining, counter-attacking innings of Dewald Brevis came to an end during the Pakistan vs. South Africa 1st Test match (PAK vs SA 1st Test) at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Pakistan spinner Noman Ali delivered an absolute jaffa to knock down the timber. Brevis tried to block the ball, but the delivery had enough spin to befool the young batter. 

On a spin-friendly track in Lahore, South African batters are struggling to hold on to their momentum while chasing a target of 277 runs. Captain Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, and Tristan Stubbs lost their wickets cheaply against Noman Ali's spin bowling. The 39-year-old spinner turned into the wrecker-in-chief against the South African batting lineup. As of now, especially after the dismissal of Dewald Brevis, Pakistan is in the driving seat. 

Openers Ryan Rickelton and Brevis tried to build some momentum to keep their winning possibilities alive in the match. Together they formed a 50-run partnership as well, where Brevis had more contribution than his batting partner. The 22-year-old batting sensation raced to the individual half-century mark in only 51 deliveries. He chose to play counter-attacking batting to prevent Pakistan's spin bowling dominance. He also showed an attacking mindset against the in-form spinner Ali. 

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Noman Ali produced a jaffa to dismiss Dewald Brevis

NOMAN ALI COMPLETES HIS 10-FER WITH AN ABSOLUTE JAFFA 🔥🇵🇰#BabarAzam#HBKingBabarAzam#pakvSa pic.twitter.com/cbd9tnnjgd

— Usman (@callmemanu7_) October 15, 2025

In 54 deliveries, Brevis scored 54 runs powered by 6 boundaries and a couple of over-boundaries. His dismissal can prove costly for the visiting side. By picking up the wicket of Dewald Brevis, Noman Ali completed his 10-wicket haul in the match as well. 

The 3rd ball of the 42nd over of the 2nd innings was absolutely unplayable. The ball landed around the leg and turned in sharply. Dewald Brevis tracked back to defend the ball but got beaten in the end. South Africa lost their 5th wicket, and Pakistan took another step ahead to claim a much-needed victory. 

Noman Ali, who is playing for Pakistan in the ongoing first Test against South Africa in Lahore, made history on Tuesday (October 14). He became the first bowler in the world to take six six-wicket hauls in the World Test Championship (WTC).

The 39-year-old achieved this milestone by taking 6 wickets for 112 runs in the first innings of the match at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is second on the list with five six-wicket hauls in the WTC. India’s Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah, along with Australia’s Nathan Lyon, have four six-wicket hauls each in the WTC.

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Noman Ali Creates World Record with Sixth Six-Wicket Haul in WTC

Noman Ali, who made his Test debut for Pakistan on January 26, 2021, against South Africa in Karachi, created history in the ongoing first Test against South Africa in Lahore. On Tuesday (October 14), he became the first bowler in the world to take six six-wicket hauls in the World Test Championship (WTC).

The 39-year-old took 6 wickets for 112 runs in the first innings at Gaddafi Stadium. His first wicket came on Monday when he got South African captain Aiden Markram caught behind by Mohammad Rizwan on the fifth ball of the 12th over. He later dismissed Wiaan Mulder in the 25th over, also caught by Rizwan.

Noman’s third wicket was Tristan Stubbs, who scored 8 runs before giving another catch to Rizwan. He then trapped Kyle Verreynne LBW in the 61st over, who managed only 2 runs. On Tuesday morning, Noman took the wicket of Tony de Zorzi, who was caught by Shaheen Shah Afridi after scoring 104 runs. His final victim was Prenelan Subrayen, completing another six-wicket haul.

FIVE WICKET HAUL BY NOMAN ALI.

- The MVP of Pakistan at home. 🇵🇰🔥 pic.twitter.com/Nw6g5568VG

— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) October 14, 2025

NOMAN & SAJID SHARED 9 WICKETS COMBINED 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QFqXjFFxCC

— Hassan Zahid (@Iam_hassan10) October 14, 2025

Most Six-Wicket Hauls in WTC

Noman Ali’s Best Bowling Figures in Tests

The record for the most six-wicket hauls for Pakistan in Tests is still held by the legendary Imran Khan, who achieved it 13 times during his career.

Apart from bowling, Noman Ali's bowling also attracted the cricket fans during the Pakistan vs South Africa (PAK vs SA) 1st Test match at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Former Pakistan international Ramiz Raja couldn't resist himself from making a funny remark about the big, green sunglasses Ali used during the match. 

39-year-old Noman Ali has done a great job so far against a strong South African batting line-up by picking up 4 wickets. After the end of Day 2 of the ongoing Test match, the spinner claimed 4 wickets in 27 overs. He took the wickets of South Africa skipper Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, and Kyle Verreynne. On Day 3, he will try to improve his bowling stats more, as the surface of Gaddafi Stadium can offer more for the spinners.

On the pitch, the ball got turned from Day 1. Pakistan batters did well by registering 378 runs, batting first. Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first on the fresh track to Gaddafi Stadium. The decision was easy to make, as the surface was looking dry and spin-friendly. 

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A cheeky remark from Ramiz Raja over Noman Ali's sunglass

 

 

 

 

 

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From Day 1, the spinners of the South Africa cricket team were producing huge turns. Batting on such a wicket was not easy for any batters. But as long as Imam-ul-Haq (93), captain Shan Masood (76), Mohammad Rizwan (75), and Salman Ali Agha (93) were on the pitch, scoring runs looked like an easy task. 

Before South Africa's first innings, it was predicted that the ball could turn more than on Day 1; how South Africa would bat was the major question. Ali claimed 4 wickets and kept his team ahead after Day 2. To see his stunning green sunglasses, Ramiz Raja said during his commentary work, "He's wearing a fancy pair of glasses, Noman Ali. Looks like welding glasses."

Crickets lovers around the globe are awaiting for the ICC Men's Player of the Month for January 2025. This time, the nomination of players features individuals from three cricketing countries that have really fantsatic on field over the past month. The nominees are 

• Noman Ali (Pakistan)
• Jomel Warrican (West Indies)
• Varun Chakravarthy (India)

Lets take a close look on them:

1. Noman Ali (Pakistan)
Left-arm spinner of Pakistan ,Noman Ali is an experience one and the reason he is here, a quality which can provide them the wickets with good spell of overs in test matches, his controlling of the run rate was much more useful to Pakistan .His performance played a key role in his nomination.

2. Jomel Warrican (West Indies)

Jomel Warrican, another left-arm spinner, is something different for the West Indies. He has been consistent in wicket taking and in economical spells at crucial times to help his team. His show in some of the recent matches has made him a strog container for the award.

3. Varun Chakravarthy (India)
India's mystery spinner, Varun Chakravarthy, has earned his recognition in limited-overs cricket with variations and accuracy. He has won the match with his spin, destroing batting order. Hence is well deserved of this nomination.

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Performance Comparison for nominees (January 2025)

The Nominees for ICC Men's Player of the Month - January 2025 🏆

1) Noman Ali 🇵🇰
2) Jomel Warrican 🌴
3) Varun Chakravarthy 🇮🇳

Who will win the award? 👀#Cricket #ICC #India #VarunChakravarthy pic.twitter.com/FaTQNNoGDU

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) February 6, 2025

The result will come  with a selection through voting for both the ICC Voting Academy as well as ,the cricket watching Fans . ICC Men's Player of the Month - January 2025. Competition and struggle seem great due to remarkable abilities for the nominees.
Who do you think will take the crown?  

Multan: Noman Ali becomes first Pakistani Test spinner to go hat-trick in HISTORY of Cap

Pakistan left-arm spinner Noman Ali made a new history as he became first ever Pakistani Test spinner to do a hat-trick.

Left-arm spinner Noman Ali of Pakistan became first person to take a Test cricket hat-trick in historic manner which came to West Indies during 2nd Test match at Multan Cricket Stadium on Jan 25, 2025.

EXcellent start to Noman's hat-trick off five deliveries - Justin Greaves, Timm Manns and Kevin Sinclair (in that order) leaving his impressive duo. His incredible outing contributed in Pakistan cutting the West Indies down to 44 for seven in the morning session. 

🚨 FIRST PAKISTAN SPINNER TO TAKE A TEST HAT-TRICK 🚨

Take a bow, Noman Ali! 🫡#PAKvWI | #RedBallRumble pic.twitter.com/c5RHVdcM0z

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 25, 2025

This achievement followed in the footsteps of Noman, who joins several other elite members of Pakistan's bowling legion who've taken 3 wickets in Test matches. It was his sixth-ball hat-trick across the format and also the first for Pakistan since Nadeem Junaid hit three in a Test against Bangladesh in 2000, alongside Wasim Akram and Mohammad Sami being his contemporaries.

Among the other interesting bits …Noman also became the 2nd oldest cricketer to take a Test hat-trick (38 years 110 days). The biggest claim to fame was Sri Lanka's legend Rangana Herath who holds the record to be the oldest ever Test hat-trick maker having taken a hat-trick at age of 38 years and 139 days.

All things considered Pakistan included not simply three of the vital spinners in their playing XI that develop into teach stroke of a life time. Playing as the first new ball, Noman got the better of Kraigg Brathwaite and swiftly took over as West Indies number one asned in his second over. A few overs later, he took the old boys down to pieces with this tidy three-wicket burst.

𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭! 😍

Hat-trick hero Noman Ali makes history in Multan 🙌#PAKvWI | #RedBallRumble pic.twitter.com/2xRLeYpVXl

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 25, 2025

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The 38-year-old Noman Ali has scripted history at the Multan Cricket Stadium by becoming the first Pakistani spinner to claim a Test hat-trick. After opting to bat first, the tourists got off to the worst possible start with spin proving to be their nemesis yet again. But they were rocked to the core when Noman Ali came on to bowl the 12th over of the Windies innings. 

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At the start of the over, West Indies' scoreline read 38-4. At that time, Greaves and Hodge were starting to resurrect the ship for the tourists but all their efforts went in vain when Noman was reintroduced. Greaves became his first hattrick wicket as he poked at a wide-turning delivery inducing an outside edge that was pouched safely in the gully.

Imlach was the next victim to follow as he failed to read a quicker ball from Noman and was trapped lbw first ball. Then in the third and final ball, Noman got Sinclair out with a floppy tossed-up delivery on the off-stump line which he poked at with hard hands giving a simple catching practice to Babar at gully.

Watch the video:

HISTORY BY NOMAN ALI 📢

- Noman Ali becomes the first Pakistan spinner to take a Hat-trick in Test history. 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/Ps3SbVuAbB

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 25, 2025

Overall, Noman is now the fourth Pakistani bowler to claim a Test hattrick in the 21st century. Wasim Akram was the first Pakistani bowler to claim a Test hat-trick way back in 1999 against Sri Lanka. Abdul Razzaq, Mohammed Sami, and Naseem Shah are the other Pakistani bowlers to achieve a Test hattrick for Pakistan. At the time of writing, the West Indies batting was in an immediate state of decline and found themselves reeling at 55-8 by the end of the 17th over on day one.

Pakistan's long wait for a home Test victory came to an end in emphatic fashion as Noman Ali's exceptional bowling helped the team defeat England in the second Test. With eight wickets falling in less than two hours, the match concluded swiftly, leveling the series at 1-1 ahead of the third Test in Rawalpindi. This victory marks a significant milestone for Pakistan, as it is their first home win since 2021.

A record-breaking bowling display

Noman Ali's career-best performance was the highlight of the match, as he took 8 wickets for 46 runs, finishing with match figures of 11 for 147. Alongside Sajid Khan, who claimed 7 wickets for 111 runs in the first innings, they became the first bowling duo to take all 20 wickets in a Test since Dennis Lillee and Bob Massie in 1972. The duo's remarkable performance dismantled England's batting order, showcasing the effectiveness of Pakistan's spin attack on a pitch that was favorable for bowlers.

Despite being faced with the pressure of an innings defeat from the previous match, Pakistan's decision to include a three-man spin attack paid off handsomely. The team made significant changes, dropping Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah in favor of the spin-heavy lineup. The match concluded within three and a half days, further emphasizing the dominance of the Pakistani bowlers on a re-used pitch that offered consistent turn.

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England's batting collapse

England's chase of 261 runs for victory fell apart as they succumbed to Noman and Sajid's relentless bowling. The English batsmen, including Ollie Pope and Joe Root, attempted to employ an aggressive sweep strategy, but it quickly backfired. Pope was the first to fall, caught off a simple return catch to Sajid, while Root's adventurous approach led to his dismissal for a low score. With England reeling at 78 for 5, the match appeared all but over.

The chaotic innings continued as Jamie Smith, Ben Stokes, and other key players were dismissed cheaply. Stokes, who scored 37 runs at a rapid pace, was stumped after a reckless charge down the pitch to Noman. Ultimately, England's batting performance was riddled with mistakes, showcasing a stark contrast to their earlier success in the series. Noman's ability to pick up wickets consistently solidified Pakistan's control over the game, leading to a comprehensive victory.

In the end, Pakistan's victory was not just a welcome relief but also a testament to their resilience and adaptability in challenging circumstances. With Shan Masood's first win as captain, the team will look to build on this momentum as they head into the final Test of the series.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made a crucial decision on Saturday, announcing Mohammad Nawaz as the replacement for left-arm spinner Noman Ali in the Test squad against Australia. The decision came after Noman Ali was ruled out of the ongoing Test series due to acute appendicitis, leading to his surgery on the same day. The national selection committee, headed by Wahab Riaz, approved Nawaz as the replacement, addressing the left-arm spinner void created by Noman’s unfortunate health condition.

Initially included in the squad to provide spin support to Abrar Ahmed, Noman Ali’s absence complicates Pakistan’s bowling situation, especially with Abrar already sidelined due to an injury. Sajid Khan was brought in as a replacement, but his late arrival in Perth prevented him from participating in the opening Test. PCB Chief Selector Wahab Riaz expressed regret over Noman Ali’s unavailability and highlighted the logistical challenges, including visa issues for new players. Considering the need for a left-arm spinner, Mohammad Nawaz emerged as the most suitable choice within the available constraints.

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In an official statement, Wahab Riaz explained the unfortunate circumstances and expressed hope regarding Abrar Ahmed’s potential return for the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground starting on January 3, 2024. The team management remains optimistic about Abrar’s availability, providing a potential boost to the team’s spin bowling options. Meanwhile, the second Test against Australia is set to begin at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 26.

Adding to Pakistan’s challenges, fast bowlers Khurram Shazad, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf are unavailable. Khurram Shazad reported pain in his left side earlier in the week, Naseem Shah is recovering from an injury, and Haris Rauf opted not to participate. This situation has led to the inclusion of debutants Aamer Jamal and Shahzad, along with Mir Hamza, Hasan Ali, and Mohammad Wasim Jr., forming the current fast bowling lineup for Pakistan against Australia.