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Cricket Australia has announced its Team of the Tournament for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023–25 cycle, featuring Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Noman Ali among some of the world’s top performers.
Noman’s inclusion highlights his outstanding consistency and impact throughout the two-year cycle, as he secured a spot in the XI over prominent players like Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc. This recognition underscores his significant contributions to the game during this competitive period.
The WTC 2023–25 was characterized by thrilling cricket, memorable moments, and strong individual performances. England staged a remarkable comeback to draw the Ashes 2-2, while Australia secured their place in the final after a 3-1 series victory over India.
Pakistan also made headlines with a significant turnaround against England, winning the series 2-1 after losing the opening Test. Noman played a pivotal role in that comeback, showcasing his skills on the international stage.
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Despite participating in only six Tests during the WTC cycle, the 38-year-old spinner made a substantial impact, taking 46 wickets at an impressive average of 14.76 and a strike rate of 27.6 — better than any other bowler who bowled over 100 overs during the cycle.
His most memorable performance came in Multan, where he achieved remarkable figures of 8 wickets for 46 runs in the second innings against England, marking the best bowling figures recorded by any player throughout the entire WTC cycle. Noman concluded that series with 20 wickets in the last two Tests, forming a formidable spin partnership with Sajid Khan.
Additionally, Noman began the WTC cycle with an impressive 7 for 70 against Sri Lanka in Galle and capped it off with a ten-wicket haul against the West Indies in January 2025, showcasing his match-winning ability in various conditions. Notably, during the West Indies series, he became the first Pakistan spinner to take a Test hat-trick, achieving this milestone in the second Test. His performances have not only solidified his place in the Team of the Tournament but also highlighted his importance to Pakistan cricket.
Cricket Australia’s World Test Championship (WTC) 2023–25 Team of the Tournament:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Usman Khawaja, Kane Williamson, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Kamindu Mendis, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Jasprit Bumrah, Matt Henry, Noman Ali, 12th man: Kagiso Rabada
