Noman Ali, Sajid Khan Etch Their Names in Test Cricket History with Record-Breaking Performances
Noman and Sajid became the first Pakistani bowling duo in 30 years to bowl unchanged through an entire innings,
In a stunning comeback, Pakistan won the second Test in Multan, ending England’s 11-match winless streak at home and securing their first Test win in 15 months.
This triumph also breaks a 44-month home drought, delivering a much-needed boost to the team and sparking celebrations among cricket fans nationwide.
The match was heavily influenced by Pakistan’s spin duo, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, who showcased an exceptional display of spin bowling.
Noman was the standout performer, taking 11 wickets throughout the match, including an impressive 8 for 46 in the second innings. With this achievement, he became the first Pakistani spinner to capture 8 wickets in the fourth innings of a Test match.
Previously, the best fourth-innings figures for a Pakistani spinner belonged to Mushtaq Ahmed, who recorded 7 for 56 against New Zealand in Christchurch in 1995. The all-time best for a Pakistani in the fourth innings remains Sarfraz Nawaz’s remarkable 9 for 86 against Australia in Melbourne in 1979.
Sajid also made significant contributions, claiming 9 wickets in total. Their combined efforts mark a historic milestone, as it is only the seventh instance in Test history where two bowlers have taken all 20 wickets of the opposing team.
The last time Pakistani bowlers achieved this feat was in 1956 when the legendary duo of Fazal Mahmood and Khan Mohammad dismissed all the Australian batsmen.
This record emphasizes the importance of their performance, highlighting a rare and noteworthy accomplishment in cricket history.
Moreover, the Multan Test was notable for the fact that all 20 of Pakistan’s wickets were taken by spinners. This is only the third occasion that Pakistani spinners have collectively claimed all 20 wickets in a match, with the previous instance occurring against England in Lahore in 1987, when Iqbal Qasim, Tauseef Ahmed, and Abdul Qadir accomplished the same.
In another remarkable display of endurance, Noman and Sajid became the first Pakistani bowling duo in 30 years to bowl unchanged through an entire innings, a feat last achieved by Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis against Sri Lanka in Kandy in 1994.
This victory is particularly significant as it breaks the “curse” that had seen Pakistan struggle in Test cricket for over a year. Fans can finally celebrate after a long wait, with the team’s last win dating back to August 2022.
This triumph showcases a revitalized spin attack that reflects Pakistan’s rich cricketing heritage, especially in spin bowling.
The performances of Noman and Sajid not only secured the win but also set a promising tone for future home matches.
