Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Noman Ali has climbed to a career-best No. 2 spot in the latest ICC Test bowling rankings, marking a major milestone in his international career after a match-winning performance in the ongoing home Test series.
The 37-year-old, who’s been a quiet yet consistent performer for Pakistan over the past few years, leapt four places to reach a personal high of 853 rating points — just behind India’s pace ace Jasprit Bumrah, who retains the top spot.
Noman’s rise comes on the back of an outstanding display in the first Test against South Africa, where he claimed 10 wickets in the match (6 for 112 and 4 for 79) to script Pakistan’s emphatic 93-run victory. His controlled spell and subtle variations left the visitors rattled on a dry Karachi track.
“I just tried to keep things simple — hit the right areas and build pressure,” Noman said after the game. “It’s always special to perform in front of home fans.”
With this achievement, Noman becomes only the seventh Pakistani bowler ever to cross the 850-point mark in Test bowling rankings — a club that includes names like Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, and Yasir Shah. He’s also the first spinner from Pakistan to breach that barrier since Yasir did so back in 2016.
The latest ICC update also brought mixed results for other Pakistani bowlers: Shaheen Shah Afridi moved up three spots to 19th, Sajid Khan held firm at 21, while Mohammad Abbas and Naseem Shah are ranked 27th and 34th, respectively.
Noman’s steady rise has been particularly inspiring considering his late start in international cricket. Making his debut at 34, he has since become a key figure in Pakistan’s spin attack, especially in home conditions.
Cricket pundits believe his recent consistency is no fluke. “He’s not flashy, but he’s very effective,” said former Test spinner Iqbal Qasim. “Noman’s control and temperament are what make him special. He knows how to bowl long spells, something our younger spinners can learn from.”
As Pakistan looks to strengthen its Test bowling unit, Noman’s resurgence adds valuable depth and balance — especially with major series lined up in the coming months.
