Pakistan vs West Indies: Noman Ali becomes first Pakistan spinner to take Test hat-trick as he stars in Multan
Pakistan's Noman Ali dismissed West Indies' Justin Greaves, Tevin Imlach and Kevin Sinclair from successive balls to become first spin bowler from his country to take Test hat-trick; seamers Wasim Akram (twice), Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Sami and Naseem Shah had previously bagged hat-tricks
Saturday 25 January 2025 18:03, UK
Noman Ali became the first Pakistan spinner to take a Test hat-trick as he helped his side rip through West Indies' top and middle order on day one of the second Test in Multan.
Noman had Justin Greaves (1) caught at gully from the first ball of the 12th over before inflicting ducks on Tevin Imlach and Kevin Sinclair from the next two deliveries.
Imlach fell lbw on the sweep before Sinclair was caught at gully, sparking wild celebrations from the bowler.
Only seamers had previously taken Test hat-tricks for Pakistan, with Wasim Akram achieving the feat twice and Naseem Shah, Mohammad Sami and Abdul Razzaq once each.
England fast bowler Gus Atkinson took the sole hat-trick in Tests in 2024, in New Zealand in December, when he removed Nathan Smith, Matt Henry and Tim Southee.
The previous Test hat-trick before that came in 202, for South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj against West Indies.
Noman (6-41) had earlier pinned West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite lbw for nine and went on to dismiss Kemar Roach (25) in the same fashion to clinch an eighth five-wicket haul in Tests.
West Indies were 38-7 once Noman completed his hat-trick but battled to 163 all out thanks chiefly to 55 from No 9 batter Gudakesh Motie and last man Jomel Warrican's 36 not out, with the pair sharing a 10th-wicket stand of 68.
Motie was the final player to be dismissed, bowled by the history-making Noman shortly before lunch.
However, West Indies responded by rolling Pakistan for 154 in reply to lead by nine runs on first innings - left-arm spinners Warrican (4-43) and Motie (3-49) doing the bulk of the damage.