FORMER Bradford Premier League bowler Noman Ali produced an astonishing bowling performance for Pakistan this morning, almost single-handedly ensuring his country levelled their ongoing Test Series against England.
On a nine-day old track in Multan conducive to spin, the wily Noman produced a tweaking masterclass, claiming 8-46 as England slid to 144 all out, losing by 152 runs.
Noman only made his debut for Pakistan in 2021 at the age of 34, producing a match-winning performance in a seven-wicket win over South Africa.
The fourth-oldest Test debutant in Pakistan’s history, it was a remarkable rise for Noman, who terrorised batting line-ups with both Manningham Mills and Bradford & Bingley between 2012 and 2017.
Once Noman had made his debut for Pakistan, he was a regular in the Test side for two years, but he had fallen out of favour of late.
Before this week, he had only made two Test appearances since December 2022, both coming last summer against Sri Lanka.
And despite taking 7-70 in the second innings of that second game, a thumping win in Colombo, he was not seen again for 15 months.
But after a dreadful innings defeat in the first Test against England last week, Pakistan ripped up their bowling attack and recalled Noman, who turned 38 earlier this month.
He played second fiddle to fellow veteran spinner Sajid Khan (7-111) in England’s first innings, but still claimed a useful 3-101 as England were bowled out for 291.
That came in reply to Pakistan’s first innings of 366, in which Noman had scored a valuable 32 batting at No.10.
Pakistan posted 221 in their second innings, leaving England needing 297 to win.
Noman had Zak Crawley stumped last night, but England still had hope this morning when they returned to the crease at 36-2.
But Noman ran riot, taking all of the final seven wickets to fall in a sensational display of spin bowling.
Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Ben Stokes, Brydon Carse, Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir all fell victim to him as he inspired an unpredictable Pakistan to a famous victory.
Noman’s final match figures were a sensational 11-147 and he is surely a shoo-in to start the decisive third and final Test in Rawalpindi next week.
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