Noman Ali (Photo Source: X/Twitter)
A hilarious moment ensued between Salman Agha and Noman Ali during Pakistan’s second innings on Day 3 of the second Test against England in Multan. Pakistan had just lost their seventh wicket in the earlier over with Jack Leach getting cleaning Aamer Jamel up to reduce Pakistan to 150/7.
Skipper of England, Ben Stokes, who was into his fifth over, went around the wicket in order to attack the stumps which was well wide of leg-stump. With a silly mid-on and a couple of other catchers in the ring on the on-side, the very next delivery was nonchalantly flicked by 38-year-old Noman to fine-leg where Leach was stationed. On completing the single, Agha, who was batting on 25 at that moment, asked Noman in what seemed like a comical moment of him trying to tease Noman for the shot he played.
On repeating the question thrice as to whether it was deliberately hit by Noman, Noman’s response was even funnier. He remarked that it was a shot West Indian legend, Brian Lara, would play during his prime. The event went on to supposedly depict the shot to Agha, who had a gleaming smile on his face out of finding the retort witty as he geared up to face the next ball.
Watch the video below:
Noman Ali flicks a ball for a single.
Salman: Khud maari hai na yeh? (Did you hit it deliberately)
Noman: Han! Han! Pura tere bhai ne Lara ki tarah maara hai. (Ya, Ya, I just flicked it like Lara) 😂😂#PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/sL1DD4RqPu
— Israr Ahmed Hashmi (@IamIsrarHashmi) October 17, 2024
“Abba, khud hi maari hai na yeh? (respected elder, did you intend to hit the ball there?),” asked Agha after completing the single.
“Haan haan, poora tere bhai ne poora Lara wala. Dekha nahi yeh wala? Yeh dekh! (yes yes, your brother just hit a Lara-esque shot. Did you not see it? Look now),” responded Noman.
Noman and Sajid keep contest evenly poised after removing English openers
Coming on how the game stands at present, England require 261 runs to seal the match and the series. Despite there being a couple of days remaining in the match, a deteriorating Multan track will serve as an uphill challenge to the English batters, especially after Noman and Sajid Khan continued their dominance by dismissing Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley.
The first innings saw the two spinners toil long and hard, and were deservedly rewarded with Noman picking up a three-wicket haul while Sajid ending up with a seven-for to his name.