Pakistan’s Noman Ali etched his name into cricket history on January 25, 2025, becoming the first-ever Pakistani spinner to take a hat-trick in Test cricket.
This historic moment unfolded during the second Test between Pakistan and the West Indies at Multan Cricket Stadium. Noman Ali achieved the incredible feat by dismissing Justin Greaves, Tevin Imlach, and Kevin Sinclair in consecutive deliveries, leaving fans in awe and adding a remarkable chapter to Pakistan cricket.
Pakistan’s Spinners Dominate West Indies
In a day dominated by Pakistan’s spin attack, West Indies struggled to build momentum and managed to score only 100 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. The spinners dismantled the West Indian batting lineup in just one hour, showcasing incredible skill and precision.
- Noman Ali led the attack with 5 wickets, including his historic hat-trick.
- Sajid Khan claimed 2 wickets, while debutant Kashif Ali and Abrar Ahmed took 1 wicket each.
West Indies Batting Performance:
The West Indian batting lineup failed to find stability, with several players falling for single-digit scores:
- Kemar Roach (25) and Kavem Hodge (21) were the only batters to reach double figures.
- Captain Kraigg Brathwaite scored just 9 runs, while Justin Greaves (1) and Mikyle Louis (4) offered minimal resistance.
- Four players—Amir Jangoo, Alick Athanaze, Tevin Imlach, and Kevin Sinclair—departed without scoring.
Key Decisions and Team Changes
West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite won the toss and opted to bat first, aiming for a solid first-innings total. However, Pakistan’s strategy to utilize their spinners early on paid off spectacularly, as they restricted the opposition to a modest score.
Pakistan made a significant change to their lineup, with Kashif Ali making his Test debut as a fast bowler, replacing Khurram Shehzad, who was rested.
Teams
Pakistan Playing XI:
Shan Masood (c), Mohammad Huraira, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Sajid Khan, Noman Ali, Kashif Ali, Abrar Ahmed.
West Indies Playing XI:
Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Mikyle Louis, Amir Jangoo, Kavem Hodge, Alick Athanaze, Justin Greaves, Tevin Imlach (wk), Kevin Sinclair, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican.
Conclusion
Noman Ali’s hat-trick will go down as a defining moment in Pakistan cricket history, showcasing the prowess and potential of the team’s spinners. The match in Multan has set a thrilling tone for the ongoing series, with Pakistan holding a firm grip on proceedings.
