🏏🔥 Noman Ali Equals Mitchell Starc as World’s Second-Best Test Bowler
🇵🇰 A Historic Rise in ICC Rankings as Jasprit Bumrah Retains No.1 Spot
Pakistan cricket has witnessed many legendary bowlers over the decades, but moments when a spinner rises to the very top of the global rankings are rare and special. In the latest ICC Test bowler rankings, Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Noman Ali has achieved a career-defining milestone, equalling Australia’s Mitchell Starc as the joint second-best Test bowler in the world with 843 rating points.
Standing above them both is India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who continues his reign as the world’s number one Test bowler.
This ranking surge is not a coincidence or a short-term spike — it is the result of sustained excellence, match-winning performances, and ruthless consistency in red-ball cricket. For Pakistan, Noman Ali’s rise represents more than personal success; it signals a revival of spin dominance in Test cricket.
This in-depth, analysis explores Noman Ali’s rise, Pakistan’s bowling landscape, global Test rankings, statistical dominance, and what this means for the future of international red-ball cricket.
🧠 Who Is Noman Ali? The Late Bloomer Who Rewrote the Script
Unlike many modern cricketers who debut in their early twenties, Noman Ali’s journey is a story of patience, resilience, and persistence.
🟢 Age: 37
🟢 Role: Left-arm orthodox spinner
🟢 Format: Test specialist
🟢 Strength: Accuracy, drift, subtle variations, and relentless pressure
For years, Noman toiled in Pakistan’s domestic circuit, dominating the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy with performances that demanded attention. When his Test opportunity finally arrived, he didn’t just knock on the door — he smashed it open.
📊 Noman Ali’s Exceptional Test Year: Numbers That Demand Respect
Statistics often reveal truths that narratives can’t ignore — and Noman Ali’s numbers in Test cricket are simply elite.
🔥 2024–25 Test Performance Snapshot
- 🏏 Matches Played: 4
- 🎯 Wickets Taken: 30
- 📉 Bowling Average: 17.50
- ⚡ Economy Rate: 3.40
- ✋ Five-Wicket Hauls: 3
- 🔟 Ten-Wicket Matches: 2
These figures place Noman Ali among the most dominant Test bowlers globally, regardless of bowling style.
His ability to:
- Bowl long spells
- Control scoring
- Break partnerships
- Deliver under pressure
has made him indispensable to Pakistan’s red-ball strategy.
🏆 ICC Test Bowler Rankings: The Global Elite
🌍 Top of the World – Jasprit Bumrah
India’s Jasprit Bumrah continues to dominate Test cricket with unmatched skill and consistency. His unique action, late movement, and lethal accuracy across conditions keep him firmly at number one.
🥈 Joint Second – Noman Ali & Mitchell Starc
Sharing second place with Australia’s pace legend Mitchell Starc, Noman Ali’s presence is historic.
➡️ One is a left-arm fast bowler terrorizing batters with pace and bounce
➡️ The other is a left-arm spinner dismantling lineups with guile and control
This contrast highlights the beauty and balance of Test cricket.
🇵🇰 Pakistan’s Bowling Rankings: The Bigger Picture
While Noman Ali’s rise has been meteoric, Pakistan’s overall bowling rankings paint a mixed picture.
📉 Movers & Sliders
- Shaheen Shah Afridi: Drops to 24th
- Mohammad Abbas: Slips to 28th
- Sajid Khan: Falls to 29th (590 points)
📈 Climbers
- Abrar Ahmed: Up to 50th (401 points)
- Khurram Shahzad: Holds 70th
- Aamer Jamal: 78th
- Asif Afridi: 95th
Noman Ali’s dominance stands out even more starkly when viewed against these fluctuations, emphasizing just how special his performances have been.
🌀 Why Noman Ali Is Succeeding Where Others Struggle
🎯 Relentless Accuracy
Noman rarely bowls loose deliveries. His line-and-length discipline forces batters into mistakes.
🧠 Tactical Intelligence
He adjusts fields intelligently and bowls to plans rather than instincts.
🪄 Subtle Variations
Flight, drift, and pace changes make him deceptively dangerous.
🏋️ Endurance & Fitness
Unlike many spinners, Noman thrives in long spells — a priceless asset in Tests.
🧪 Spin Renaissance in Pakistan Test Cricket
For years, Pakistan were known primarily for fast bowling. However, conditions at home and abroad are now rewarding quality spin.
Noman Ali’s rise, alongside players like Abrar Ahmed and Sajid Khan, suggests a strategic shift:
- Greater reliance on spin in the middle overs
- Pressure-based bowling rather than pure aggression
- Match-winning plans built around patience
This approach is yielding results.
🏏 ICC Test Batting Rankings: Pakistan’s Progress
Pakistan’s batting unit has also seen movement in the latest ICC rankings.
📈 Positive Climbs
- Saud Shakeel: Climbs to 9th (734 points)
- Mohammad Rizwan: Rises to 21st
- Salman Ali Agha: Jumps to 27th (630 points)
➖ Holding Ground
- Babar Azam: Retains 23rd
- Shan Masood: 44th
- Imam-ul-Haq: 51st
- Abdullah Shafique: 56th
📉 Slips
-
Kamran Ghulam: Drops to 85th
These rankings suggest stability with room for growth, particularly at the top of the order.
🌍 Global Test Batting Landscape
While Pakistan sees internal movement, global giants continue their dominance.
👑 Top Test Batters
- Joe Root (England): Remains No.1
- Harry Brook (England): Climbs to No.2
- Kane Williamson (New Zealand): Slips to No.3
This elite trio represents modern Test batting excellence — adaptability, technique, and mental toughness.
🧠 What Noman Ali’s Ranking Means for Pakistan Cricket
🇵🇰 Strategic Impact
- Stronger home dominance
- Balanced bowling attacks abroad
- Reduced overdependence on pace
🌱 Inspiration for Domestic Cricket
Young spinners now have a role model proving that:
- Age is not a barrier
- Domestic performance matters
- Patience pays off
🏆 ICC World Test Championship Aspirations
With bowlers like Noman Ali, Pakistan can:
- Compete on turning tracks
- Control matches over five days
- Challenge elite Test nations consistently
🔮 Can Noman Ali Become World No.1?
The question is no longer hypothetical.
If Noman continues:
- Taking five-wicket hauls
- Delivering match-winning spells
- Staying injury-free
A rise to world number one is no longer unrealistic — it’s achievable.
🧠🏏 Cricktory Insights & Deep Analysis
Noman Ali’s rise to joint second in ICC Test rankings is not just form-based — it is structural dominance.
🔍 Key Insight 1: Skill Over Conditions
Unlike many spinners who thrive only on turning tracks, Noman’s success has come from:
- Accuracy first, turn second
- Pressure-building over magic balls
- Dismissals forced through patience
This makes his ranking more sustainable than short purple patches.
🔍 Key Insight 2: Starc Comparison Is Symbolic
Mitchell Starc represents raw pace + aggression
Noman Ali represents control + attrition
Being ranked equal shows ICC Test cricket currently values:
➡️ Impact per over, not speed or hype
🔍 Key Insight 3: Pakistan’s Tactical Reset
Pakistan historically relied on:
- Reverse swing
- Express pace
Noman’s rise signals a philosophical shift:
- Longer spells
- Match control
- Spin-led dominance in WTC cycles
This is crucial for success in Asia, Africa, and even England in dry summers.
🗣️🔥 Fan Reactions (Social Media Pulse)
🇵🇰 Pakistani Fans
- “Finally, a spinner getting global respect!”
- “Late bloomer but world beater 💚”
- “Domestic cricket proves its value again”
🌍 Global Fans
- “Deserved. Stats don’t lie.”
- “Spin is back in Test cricket”
- “Ranking system finally rewarding impact”
Noman Ali trended heavily across:
- X (Twitter) Pakistan
- Facebook cricket communities
- YouTube cricket analysis channels
🎙️🧠 Expert & Former Player Reactions (Analysis-Based)
🏏 Former Cricketers’ Consensus
- Noman’s control rivals peak Rangana Herath
- One of the best left-arm orthodox spells in recent Test history
- His economy + wicket ratio is elite-tier
📊 Analysts’ View
- Best average among top-10 Test bowlers
- Highest wickets per match in current ranking list
- Low-risk bowling profile = longer career window
Experts agree:
👉 Noman Ali is not a temporary No.2 — he’s a long-term elite bowler
🔎 FAQs
❓ Who is the second-best Test bowler in the world?
A: Noman Ali and Mitchell Starc are jointly ranked second in ICC Test bowler rankings with 843 points.
❓ Is Noman Ali better than Mitchell Starc?
A: They play different roles, but statistically Noman has been more economical and consistent in recent Tests.
❓ How many wickets has Noman Ali taken in Tests this year?
A: He has taken 30 wickets in 4 matches.
❓ Can Noman Ali become world No.1?
A: Yes, if he continues current form and Bumrah misses matches or drops points.
❓ Why is Noman Ali’s rise important for Pakistan?
A: It shows Pakistan can dominate Tests through spin, not just pace.
Noman Ali Equals Mitchell Starc as World’s Second-Best Test Bowler | Shock
🏁 Conclusion: A Spinner’s Triumph in a Fast Bowler’s World
In an era dominated by express pace, Noman Ali’s ascent to joint second in ICC Test rankings is nothing short of extraordinary.
He represents:
- Skill over speed
- Patience over aggression
- Experience over hype
As Jasprit Bumrah reigns supreme and Mitchell Starc continues his dominance, Noman Ali stands tall among the giants, carrying Pakistan’s spin legacy into a new era.
🏏🔥 This is not just a ranking — it’s a statement.