Pakistan’s Noman Ali appeals during the fourth day of the first Test of the series against South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium on October 15, 2025 in Lahore, Pakistan. – AFP

Mirpur: Pakistan spinner Noaman Ali broke a 130-year-old milestone and etched his name in the record books in the first Test against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

The left-arm spinner reached 100 wickets in Test cricket when he dismissed Mehidi Hasan Miraz for 24 in Bangladesh’s second innings.

At 39 years and 217 days, Noman became the oldest player in Test history to reach the 100-wicket milestone. He surpassed former England spinner Bobby Peel who achieved the feat in 1896 at the age of 39 years and 180 days.

Senior players to reach 100 test wickets

  • Noman Ali (Pakistan) – 39y 217d
  • Bobby Peel (England) – 39 years 180d
  • Ray Illingworth (England) – 39y 30d
  • Claire Grimmett (Australia) – 39 years 22 d
  • Sydney Barnes (England) – 38y 310d

Noman reached the milestone in his 22nd Test, becoming the ninth Pakistani spinner and the 21st bowler from his country to complete a century of Test wickets overall.

He ended the innings with three wickets, dismissing Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Sandhu and Taijul Islam in a decisive spell that strengthened Pakistan’s position in the tournament.

The milestone made him the fourth fastest Pakistani bowler and the third fastest spinner to reach 100 Test wickets.

England’s George Lohmann became the fastest bowler in Test history by taking 100 wickets in 16 matches.

Fastest Pakistani bowlers to take 100 Test wickets

  • Yasir Shah – 17 matches
  • Saeed Ajmal – 19 matches
  • Waqar Younis – 20 matches
  • Mohammad Asif – 20 matches
  • Noman Ali – 22 matches
  • Fazal Mahmood – 22 matches
  • Saqlain Mushtaq – 23 matches

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