Catching the attention of a legend like Wasim Akram is no easy feat. Yet, Ali Raza, a 17-year-old fast bowler from Pakistan, has already managed to do just that—long before making his international debut. The young pacer has drawn high praise from Akram, one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history.
In a recent interview with Wisden Cricket, Akram said that right-arm seamer Ali Raza could well be the future of Pakistan’s fast-bowling attack. He stated, “If Ali receives the right guidance, he has the potential to become a world-class bowler. I don’t often follow domestic cricket, but when I saw him bowl, I could immediately tell that his future is bright. If he learns how to master red-ball cricket, success in white-ball formats will follow naturally.”
Despite his tender age, Raza’s performances in domestic cricket have already been impressive enough to earn attention from the legendary left-armer.
Ali Raza’s Domestic Record
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average Speed (km/h) | Team/League | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-class | 6 | 32 | 138–143 | Central Punjab | Best: 6 wickets in a single innings |
| List A | 12 | 17 | 140 | Various domestic teams | 4 for 25 in one match |
| T20 | 15 | 16 | 140–145 | Peshawar Zalmi (PSL) | 9 matches, 12 wickets |
| Under-19 | 11 | 26 | 135–140 | Pakistan U-19 | 2 wickets on debut vs Bangladesh |
Raza’s numbers speak for themselves. In only six first-class games, he has taken 32 wickets, while in List A cricket, he has bagged 17 wickets in 12 outings. His T20 performances are equally commendable—16 wickets in 15 matches, including a standout showing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for Peshawar Zalmi, where he claimed 12 wickets in 9 matches.
Akram’s Words of Praise and Caution
While Akram lauded the teenager’s natural pace and discipline, he also issued a note of caution regarding Pakistan’s cricketing politics. “I don’t like politics in cricket. The game should always stay above politics. Every league around the world should remain open to players from all countries, and both the ICC and national boards need to ensure this,” Akram remarked.
A Prodigy from Punjab
Born in Punjab, Ali Raza made his mark at the age of just 14, when he was selected for Pakistan’s Under-19 side. He made his debut on 10 November 2022 against Bangladesh U-19 in Multan, taking 2 wickets for 44 runs. Since then, he has played 11 youth internationals, picking up 26 wickets.
His raw pace has become a topic of much discussion in Pakistani cricket circles. Raza regularly clocks around 140 km/h, and during the most recent PSL season, he was recorded bowling as fast as 145 km/h.
Many believe that, with Wasim Akram’s mentorship and a steady developmental pathway, Ali Raza could well become the next great speedster to emerge from Pakistan’s rich fast-bowling tradition.