Noman Ali becomes oldest player to reach 100 Test wickets

DHAKA: Pakistan left-arm spinner Noman Ali became the oldest cricketer in Test history to complete 100 wickets during the first Test against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Noman reached the milestone when he dismissed Mehidy Hasan Miraz, adding another landmark to his Test career. With that wicket, he entered an elite list of Pakistan bowlers and also became the ninth spinner and the 20th bowler overall to get to 100 Test wickets.

The 39-year-old also took the wickets of Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Taijul Islam in the match, underlining his impact for Pakistan in the opening Test.

At 39 years and 217 days, Noman set a new age record for the milestone. He went past former England spinner Bobby Peel, who had reached 100 Test wickets in 1896 at the age of 39 years and 180 days.

The achievement also placed Noman among Pakistan’s quickest bowlers to the mark. He became the joint fourth-fastest Pakistan bowler to claim 100 Test wickets, getting there in his 22nd Test match.

His latest feat adds to a notable rise in red-ball cricket, with the spinner now holding both a national and global distinction linked to the 100-wicket landmark.

Historic milestone in Dhaka

Noman’s entry into the 100-wicket club came in the first Test of Pakistan’s tour of Bangladesh, with the landmark arriving at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. The dismissal of Mehidy Hasan Miraz proved to be the defining moment, as it took him to three figures in Test wickets.

According to the reported figures, only a select group of bowlers have managed to complete 100 Test wickets, and Noman is now part of that list as both a Pakistan representative and a specialist spinner.

Among the fastest for Pakistan

While Noman became the oldest player overall to reach the milestone, he also matched a significant Pakistan record by getting there in 22 Tests, making him the joint fourth-fastest Pakistani bowler to do so.

In the broader Test record books, England great George Lohmann remains the fastest bowler to 100 Test wickets, having achieved the feat in just 16 matches. Several Pakistan bowlers also feature among the quickest to the landmark.

Noman’s latest accomplishment therefore stands out on two fronts: longevity and speed. In Dhaka, he not only crossed a major personal milestone but also secured a place in Test cricket history.