Noman Ali- The Late Bloomer and Quick Achiever

 

This is the inspiring story of a boy from the small town of Khipro in Sindh. Coming from a family where cricket was not a priority, neither Noman Ali nor his seven siblings ever dreamt of pursuing the sport. Yet, today, he stands tall as one of Pakistan's most successful spinners. Let’s take a closer look at Noman Ali’s remarkable journey.

Khipro to Hyderabad : Khipro, a small town in Sindh's Sanghar district, is an agricultural hub where 68% of the population relies on farming. To combat poverty, the government had launched several initiatives in the area. In such challenging circumstances, Gulam Rasool Mehar, the father of eight children, found it hard to think beyond traditional means of livelihood. Seeking a better life for his family, Mehar moved to Hyderabad.

While Noman’s siblings stuck to tape-ball cricket, he surpassed expectations and ventured further.

Decision to be spinner : After moving to Hyderabad, where cricket facilities were comparatively better than in Khipro, two key influences shaped Noman’s decision to pursue the sport. The first was his uncle, Rizwan Ahmad, a former first-class cricketer who also represented Pakistan. The second was the mentorship he received in Hyderabad under his uncle, his brother Faisal, and coach Iqbal Imam.

Initially, like many children of the 70s, 80s, and 90s, Noman aspired to be a left-arm pacer. However, the dry conditions in Hyderabad led him to choose left-arm spin instead. His mentors guided him in mastering the art of spin bowling.

Noman’s cricketing journey began in 2004 at the age of 18. Over the next four years, he played for Hyderabad U-19, United Bank, and the Bradford League in England. In 2009, his first-class career officially started with Pakistan’s domestic giant, Khan Research Laboratories (KRL).

First Class Cricket: Noman joined KRL and became a dependable part of the team. However, opportunities were limited due to the star-studded lineup. Between 2009 and 2017, he played sporadically, taking 102 wickets across nine seasons. Despite his hard work, his performances weren’t enough to draw national attention..

Change in fortune and getting noticed:  The 2018-19 season marked a turning point for Noman. In just eight matches, he claimed 43 wickets at an exceptional average of 14.90. For the first time, he was noticed at the national level. Although Yasir Shah dominated the spin-bowling landscape in Pakistan at the time, Noman continued to refine his craft. Over three seasons (2018-21), he picked up 158 wickets, finally forcing selectors to take notice.

Selection for the National team On January 26, 2021, Noman Ali became Pakistan’s 243rd Test cricketer and only the second player from interior Sindh, after Sharjeel Khan, to represent the national team. At 34, his debut came late, but he made an immediate impact, taking five wickets in his first match.

The journey so far : Since his debut, Noman has established himself as Pakistan’s premier spinner. However, between November 2021 and January 2023, he struggled, managing only 18 wickets at an average of 55.88 across eight Tests. This setback, however, motivated him to bounce back stronger.

He returned with a stellar performance against Sri Lanka, taking 10 wickets in two Tests, followed by strong outings against the West Indies and England, where he claimed 36 wickets in just four matches.

Among top spinners in Pakistan and what’s the future holds : In  his 4 year old Test career, Noman has played 19 Tests and picked 83 wickets at a remarkable average of 24.74. Pakistan is famous for producing top quality pacers, probably the best in Asia but when it comes to spinners it is beyond India and Sri Lanka. In terms of quality some might say it has fallen beyond Afghanistan as well.  A look at some of the spinners in the table would tell us the story and where Noman stands among them .

 

 

 

Sl no	Name	Tests	Balls	Runs	Wickets	Average	Strike Rate
1	Danish Kaneria	61	17697	9082	261	34.79	67.80
2	Yasir Shah	48	14255	7657	244	31.38	58.42
3	Abdul Qadir	67	17126	7742	236	32.80	72.56
4	Saqlain Mushtaq	49	14070	6206	208	29.83	67.64
5	Mushtaq Ahmad	52	12532	6100	185	32.97	67.74
6	Saeed Ajmal	35	11592	5003	178	28.10	65.12
7	Iqbal Qasim	50	13019	4807	171	28.11	76.11
8	Intiqhab Alam	47	10474	4494	125	35.95	83.79
9	Abdur Rahman	22	6892	2910	99	29.39	69.61
10	Noman Ali	19	4096	2055	83	24.75	49.34

 

 

Noman Ali etched his name in history as the first Pakistani spinner to take a Test hat-trick. However, with Pakistan’s next Test scheduled for November 2025, Noman, who will be 39 by then, knows his career is nearing its end. Determined to make the most of his remaining time, he continues to inspire with his resilience and skill.