Noman Ali bowled 48 overs in the first innings of the County Championship Division 2 game between Durham and Lancashire. This was 16 overs more than the next bowler on the list, Tom Bailey, who bowled 32 overs.
Noman’s long spells pay dividends
But Noman’s hard yards did pay dividends as he plucked a six-wicket haul, his first of the season. In fact, in four games for Lancashire this season, Noman had only grabbed three wickets prior to this game.
“It’s a very good achievement for me because after five games, I have a chance to bowl here at Old Trafford, and I’m really happy to get some wickets, especially in county cricket,” Noman said after completing his six-fer against Durham’s formidable batting lineup.
And it wasn’t only for Lancashire that Noman used this strategy. From what he tells us, bowling long spells is what helped him top Pakistan’s wicket-taking charts in international cricket as well. Since the start of 2025, he has been the highest wicket-taker for Pakistan, with 34 scalps in just five games. His tally since then also includes two 10-wicket hauls, the most by any bowler across Test-playing nations.
“I just tried to bowl at the stumps and keep dot balls, and that’s why I bowl long overs to get some wickets. I really enjoyed it because I’m really used to bowling long spells because back home in Pakistan, I bowl lots of hours in first-class cricket and Test cricket. I always enjoy my bowling and bowling long spells.”
Noman enjoys county cricket experience
Lancashire had earlier signed Noman for the remaining six of their County Championship games, after the tournament resumed on August 20. That means this will be his last game of the season before he returns home to take part in Pakistan’s domestic red-ball competition, President’s Trophy Grade I.
“I’m enjoying being here a lot, especially playing with players like Jimmy Anderson and Harry (Marcus Harris), and all the boys are very good. The results are not going well for Lancashire, but still I’m enjoying (my time) with the team.
“I played league cricket for eight years, six in Bradford and two in Bolton, so I have played in English conditions. After that, I was selected in the Pakistan team so maybe missed six, seven years before playing in county cricket. It’s a very good standard.”
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