Pakistan spinner Noman Ali produced a memorable moment in the India-Pakistan rivalry during the County Championship, dismissing India batter Mayank Agarwal while playing for Lancashire against Durham at Emirates Old Trafford. Agarwal scored 66 off 161 balls before Noman ended his patient innings.
Durham, led by Alex Lees, posted 493 runs in their first innings after rain and bad light restricted the second day, Friday, September 26, to 58.3 overs. Lancashire reached 10/0 after nine overs in reply, but worsening light forced the umpires to end play early, with George Balderson’s side trailing by 483 runs.
Noman Ali Dismisses Mayank Agarwal After Patient Knock
Mayank Agarwal spent considerable time at the crease for Durham, using a defensive approach to negotiate Lancashire’s bowlers. He eventually attempted a big shot but mistimed it, giving Noman the breakthrough.
The spinner took his second wicket of the innings as Durham reached 306/5. Agarwal scored 66 from 161 deliveries before his patient knock came to an end.
Noman Ali dismissed Indian batter Mayank Agarwal in the county championship. 👏 pic.twitter.com/JeygYraXdo
— Qamar. (@Qamar5618) September 25, 2026
The dismissal added an interesting India-Pakistan angle to the County Championship fixture, with the two players representing different sides in the domestic competition. The spinner later continued to trouble Durham’s lower order and finished the innings with six wickets.
Noman Ali Takes Six Wickets as Durham Post 493
Durham resumed on 355/5 after a 45-minute delay caused by rain. Noman Ali made an immediate impact by dismissing overnight batters Ollie Robinson and Kasey Aldridge, who scored 58 and 24, respectively.
Robinson’s dismissal ended his 87-run partnership with Aldridge, while the latter was also trapped lbw after being beaten on the front foot. Noman then dismissed Callum Parkinson for six, securing his 37th five-wicket haul in first-class cricket and his first five-wicket haul for Lancashire.
The spinner claimed his sixth wicket when Matty Hurst stumped Shafiqullah Ghafari for 18. Brydon Carse provided the main resistance for Durham, reaching an unbeaten 58 from 114 balls, including three sixes. Duanne Olivier was the final wicket as Durham were bowled out for 493.
Lancashire openers Keaton Jennings and Michael Jones then negotiated nine overs to reach 10/0. However, deteriorating light brought play to a halt at 4:20 PM BST before the umpires abandoned the day at 4:45 PM.
Noman Ali Reflects on Maiden Lancashire Five-Wicket Haul
Noman Ali was pleased with his six-wicket performance, particularly after claiming his first five-wicket haul for Lancashire in his fifth appearance for the county. He credited his ability to bowl long spells, target the stumps and maintain pressure through dot balls.
“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. 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 the first-class cricket and Test cricket. I always enjoy my bowling and bowling long spells.”
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