Hat-tricks by Pakistani bowlers in Tests an all time list

Hat-tricks by Pakistani bowlers in Tests an all time list (Photo by Philip Brown/Getty Images)

The bowler has a rigorous task of bowling long spells in Tests in their bid to claim the wicket of the batter. The continuous grind becomes an arduous task, and the same seems more fruitful when they walk away with a bunch of wickets. They say an over can change the course of the game. The batter might churn runs in one over, but when the bowler decides to walk the same path, he can turn the game upside down.

Pakistan has enjoyed some exceptional pace bowlers in their pantheon over the years. It is probably one of few countries, such as West Indies, where the bowlers have garnered immense spotlight in comparison with the batters. Hat-tricks could not be termed as part and parcel of the game, as they come once in a blue moon. And when they, the bowlers name is etched in annals of the Test cricketing history.

Here is the list of bowlers to take hat-trick for Pakistan in Tests

5. Noman Ali (vs West Indies, 2005)

Noman Ali. (Photo by Philip Brown/Getty Images)

Noman Ali rose to the occasion as Pakistan turned their face towards exploring their spin options after series of defeats at home. He instantly proved his worth with some exceptional performances against touring England in 2024. It comes as a surprise that the 38-year-old has played just 18 Tests for Pakistan so far and has grabbed 73 wickets at an average of 26.49. 

In the second Test against West Indies at the Multan Cricket Stadium, the slow left arm orthodox made use of the conditions very well. He picked Carlos Brathwaite in his second over and wreaked havoc in the subsequent over. He barged in to dismiss Justin Greeves on the first ball of his third over and sent Tevin Imlach was dismissed LBW. The deciding delivery made Kevin Sinclair edge the ball to second slip, and Noman became the only fifth bowler to claim a hat-trick in Tests for Pakistan.

4. Naseem Shah (vs Bangladesh, 2020)

Naseem Shah. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

During Bangladesh’s tour of Pakistan in 2020, Naseem Shah decimated the Bangladesh batting lineup when they came out to bat in the second innings. After generating a lead of 212 runs in the first innings, Pakistan trudged confidently onto the turf in Rawalpindi. After losing two wickets for 53 runs, Bangladesh were aiming for a comeback as Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque had put up a 71 runs stand for the third wicket. 

Naseem came in to bowl the 41st over and claimed Shanto for leg before wicket (lbw) on the fourth ball. He then sent the new batter, Taijul Islam for the same result and Mahmudullah walked in to face the dreaded hat-trick ball. He bowled a full and outside off ball and the batter was enticed to play the drive. The ball took an edge and was plucked by the fielder stationed at first slip as Naseem completed his hat-trick.

3. Mohammad Sami (vs Sri Lanka, 2002)

Mohammed Sami. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images)

It was one of a kind tri-nation Test series between Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Pakistan and Sri Lanka had beaten Bangladesh to reach the finals, which was played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. After batting first, Pakistan mustered only 234 runs in the first innings. In reply, Sri Lanka batters took the hosts to the cleaners with Kumar Sangakkara dazzling with 230 runs.

The damage was done, and the loss was written on the walls for Pakistan, but their then upcoming pacer, Mohammad Sami, had something to cheer about after all the run fest. He cut through the Sri Lanka’s tailenders and orchestrated a hat-trick. He picked the likes of Charitha Buddhika, Nuwam Zoysa and Muttiah Muralitharan to become the third Pakistan bowler to claim a hat-trick in Tests.

2. Abdul Razzaq (vs Sri Lanka, 2000)

Abdul Razzaq. (Photo credit should read LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP via Getty Images)

Pakistan were coming off a commanding win against Sri Lanka in their first Test of the tour. They continued the same in the second Test by bowling out the hosts for just 181 runs in Galle. Waqar Younis had ripped through the top order with Azhar Mahmood and Wasim Akram helping his cause by claiming two and one wicket each. But it was then 21-year-old, Abdul Razzaq who stole the show with his hat-trick.

Bowling the 62nd over of the innings, Razzaq dismissed Romesh Kaluwitharana as he nicked one to the wicketkeeper. He then dismissed, Rangana Herath and Ravindra Pushpakumara LBW to claim his first ever hat-trick in Tests. He also became the second Pakistan pacer to achieve this feat in the longest format of the game.

1. Wasim Akram (twice vs Sri Lanka, 1999)

Wasim Akram. (Photo by SENA VIDANAGAMA/AFP via Getty Images)

While other bowlers have enjoyed the hat-trick once or perhaps more than once in their lifetime, the Pakistan pace legend, Wasim Akram did it consecutively during the Asian Test Championship 1989-99, played between India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Akram claimed his first hat-trick against Sri Lanka in the third match of the tournament at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. As Sri Lank were inching to generate the lead, Akram sent the last three batters of Sri Lanka, Niroshan Bandaratilleke, Pramodya Wickramasinghe and Sajeewa de Silva to claim his first hat-trick.

After almost four days, both teams collided in the final and this time Akram bulldozed over the middle order of the Lankan Lions in the second innings. Bowling the first over, he made Avishka Gunawardene hole out to Shahid Afridi. The nightwatchman, Chaminda Vaas, was cleaned up on the subsequent delivery, which was also the final ball of the over. He then had to wait the over from the other end to finish, and on the first ball of the third over, dismissed Mahela Jayawardene to claim another hat-trick as Pakistan won the tournament and final by 175 runs.