Lahore, October 14, 2025: Veteran left-arm spinner Noman Ali produced a career-defining performance at the Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday, breaking a four-decade-old national record and putting Pakistan in a commanding position in the first Test against South Africa.
The 39-year-old spinner captured six wickets for 113 runs, taking his tally of five-wicket hauls in Tests to nine — the most by a Pakistani left-arm spinner in history. He surpassed the legendary Iqbal Qasim, who had eight five-fors during his illustrious career in the 1970s and 80s.
With this achievement, Noman now stands alongside the greats of Pakistan’s spin legacy, ahead of Pervez Sajjad (three five-fors), Abdur Rehman, and Zulfiqar Babar (two each).
