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[PICTURES/VIDEOS] Ali Raza: A genuine quick bowler from Sheikhupura

1/60 in 4 overs today

lad conceded 28 in the last over otherwise, he was looking good

but also bowled 6 no-balls this PSL. the most of any bowler

good raw talent but clearly has a lot to work on
 
He got worse as the tournament progressed. Clearly needs more first class and A Cricket exposure
 
Heard or read somewhere that Mohammad Amir gave him his first pair of spikes before he went off to the u19 World Cup

Really nice to see this.
 
Started really well, but till the end, he showed his inexperience. Pace is not gonna take you anywhere if you don't have awareness to use it properly. Anyway, still a great talent that needs proper guidance.
 
Started really well, but till the end, he showed his inexperience. Pace is not gonna take you anywhere if you don't have awareness to use it properly. Anyway, still a great talent that needs proper guidance.
He is going to be much better in tests than in t20s.
 
Rising fast bowler Ali Raza's media talk during phase two of the NCA Skills Development Camp in Lahore

I trust my hard work. Just like I performed before with the help of Allah and through hard work, I'm here now. I'll continue working hard here as well. God willing, I will do something better — for you all and for the country.

I don't want to talk too much. I just want to perform for the team. Wherever I get the opportunity, I’ll give my best.

Every bowler has some weaknesses. I'm trying to improve my own shortcomings. This is my first camp, and I'm trying to learn as much as I can — giving my hundred percent.

It's an honor for me when such great legends and top commentators talk about me. It makes me happy. I thank them and try to prove them right by working hard and doing my best for my country.

Every bowler has a unique strength — like Waqar Bhai’s yorker. I also want to be that kind of bowler who is known for something special. If I bowl a yorker, it should hit the mark. If I bowl a length ball, it should be perfect. I’m working hard to become a complete bowler. God willing, I will give my best.

What I want to develop is the ability to bowl in all situations. With the new ball, you have to be consistent in one area. In the death overs or middle overs, you need to know how to bowl according to the conditions — whether it's Asia or anywhere else.

Whether it’s bowling off the back foot or bowling bouncers — every bowler should try everything. I believe in myself and in my hard work. God willing, I will give my 100%.

Babar Bhai appreciated me a lot. Even if I gave runs, he backed me and said, "You’re good, you can do it." The entire Peshawar Zalmi management supported me. When people believe in you and stand behind you, you naturally give it your all.

I try my best to perform whenever I get a chance. It feels great when your captain backs you and says, “You can do it.” That boosts your confidence.

Every bowler has their own identity. I want to build my own unique identity. I want to do something for my country. I want the qualities I have to be unique. I also try to adopt the good traits I see in others and give my best through hard work.

It means a lot to me that my city has produced great legends — like Rana Bhai, Mohammad Asif, and Aqib Bhai. It feels amazing to see them and be seen by them. I try my best to follow their footsteps and, God willing, become someone who can also contribute to the country.

Source: PCB
 
Ali Raza said, "After the first match in PSL, Babar bhai made a special call to me and had dinner with me. I feel myself lucky, that when a big player like him calls you, who is your captain as well and also the number one batter, it means a lot. I really enjoyed it". [Zalmi TV]
 
Wasim Akram about Ali Raza while speaking to Wisden:

“I know the premier bowlers — Mitchell Starc, Jasprit Bumrah and Shaheen Shah Afridi — are all back in rhythm. Shaheen, in particular, has regained his pace, which is a great sign,”

“I very rarely watch Pakistan’s first-class cricket, but I think this young fast bowler, Ali Raza, has a bright future ahead. If he’s guided properly and understands what it takes to become a top red-ball bowler, the white-ball success will follow automatically,”
 
Ali Raza delivered a brilliant spell in the U19 Asia Cup match against Malaysia, producing figures of 6-3-11-3 with a superb economy of 1.83, giving away just one boundary and maintaining relentless control throughout his spell.
 
I just saw him for the first time watching highlights. He has very nice high arm fluid action.

Chat GPT summary:

📌 Strengths
  • Smooth and balanced run-up → delivery rhythm
  • High arm release → bounce and awkwardness for batters
  • Seam movement both ways at good pace
  • Accurate line and length under pressure
  • Composure even in big games (U19 World Cup / PSL) Wisden+1

📌 Development Points
  • Continued strength training & conditioning
  • Refinement of variation usage (e.g., slower balls, cutters)
  • Workload management to avoid overuse injuries

Ali Raza’s bowling action combines balance, rhythm, and subtle seam movement with genuine pace — a profile that’s promising for a young fast bowler. His ability to hit consistent lengths, extract bounce, and swing the ball makes him more than just a pace bowler; he could develop into a thoughtful threat across formats. As with all young pacers, careful physical development and tactical coaching will be key to maximizing his potential.
 
People in domestic setup don't get recognised unless they have some sort of political support Ali raza needs exposure otherwise he will rot like the others in domestic cricket with haris rauf and naseem shah struggling to establish themselves ali raza must get a look in sooner rather than later he's a genuine talent
 
It really is criminal how we haven’t nurtured some of our pacers over the years. Nearly every U19 tournament, we see a lot of promising fast bowlers. We could have a battery of them. And it doesn’t matter if they are age fudgers - they’re still prob no more than 21-22.

Where is Zeeshan?

Some of the others (aside Ali Raza) from yesterday looked like they had potential too. The leftie has good fundamentals, of course he needs work, but that’s the whole point of nurturing them
 
It really is criminal how we haven’t nurtured some of our pacers over the years. Nearly every U19 tournament, we see a lot of promising fast bowlers. We could have a battery of them. And it doesn’t matter if they are age fudgers - they’re still prob no more than 21-22.

Where is Zeeshan?

Some of the others (aside Ali Raza) from yesterday looked like they had potential too. The leftie has good fundamentals, of course he needs work, but that’s the whole point of nurturing them
Zeeshan Zameer ?
 
The positive thing I noted about Ali Raza in the ongoing u19 WC is that he has gained weight and height. This is very good to see the lad putting in the hardwork beyond the field. I hope he can put some more hardwork in his general fielding as it was a notch below the rest of his teammates in the ongoing tournament.

He has the tools to succeed but success will only come with hardwork.
 
The positive thing I noted about Ali Raza in the ongoing u19 WC is that he has gained weight and height. This is very good to see the lad putting in the hardwork beyond the field. I hope he can put some more hardwork in his general fielding as it was a notch below the rest of his teammates in the ongoing tournament.

He has the tools to succeed but success will only come with hardwork.
100% potential to become a consistent 150+ bowler. He should be treated like an asset already
 
The positive thing I noted about Ali Raza in the ongoing u19 WC is that he has gained weight and height. This is very good to see the lad putting in the hardwork beyond the field. I hope he can put some more hardwork in his general fielding as it was a notch below the rest of his teammates in the ongoing tournament.

He has the tools to succeed but success will only come with hardwork.
Didn’t see his fielding - what’s his arm like? Fast bowlers must have bullet arms. No Naseem style fairy throws
 
Very good bowler.... I think playing QEA will polish him more... Should play 1 more season before selectors even think about drafting him into the national side
 
Very good bowler.... I think playing QEA will polish him more... Should play 1 more season before selectors even think about drafting him into the national side
He needs to learn how to move the ball otherwise he will prove to be M.Sami , Rauf and Wahab Riaz type bowler and he is not even that pacy.
 
He's coming back from an injury he needs games to get going again rhythm is the key for fast bowlers i am sure he will succeed with the correct coaching and hard work lots of posters don't give much respect to genuine pacers I can tell you as a batsmen there is nothing worse than facing up to a genuinely quick bowler if you are not up to it good luck to you.
 
He shouldn't be given new ball in the morning if Pak elects to bowl first because he can't exploit the moisture on the pitch and he can't get the zip off the surface due to pitch dampness , He should be bowling after 10 overs when the pitch settles down and become a bit harder , he doesn't get new ball movement anyways so it's better to save him after the initial burst from Subhan and Seyam who both can get early movement with the new ball.
 
He shouldn't be given new ball in the morning if Pak elects to bowl first because he can't exploit the moisture on the pitch and he can't get the zip off the surface due to pitch dampness , He should be bowling after 10 overs when the pitch settles down and become a bit harder , he doesn't get new ball movement anyways so it's better to save him after the initial burst from Subhan and Seyam who both can get early movement with the new ball.

A very valid & correct observation.

He was swinging the ball a lot in his PJL days but something has happened to him and now he's gun barrel straight. In conditions where the ball is hooping around for others, he can't swing it & the seam movement just isn't there.

Maybe he needs to work on his wrist position or something.
 
A very valid & correct observation.

He was swinging the ball a lot in his PJL days but something has happened to him and now he's gun barrel straight. In conditions where the ball is hooping around for others, he can't swing it & the seam movement just isn't there.

Maybe he needs to work on his wrist position or something.
He never used to swing the ball even in PJL but does used to get slight seam movement if the pitch is hard and baked properly but he is not getting it here under damp conditions and moisture so he better bowl at the time when the sun has its effect on the pitch.
 
So much for expert analysis - he’s got 2 big wickets with the new ball.

You guys just don’t get it, you can’t beat velocity with direction
 
I don't think playing u-19 was a good move for him. It's difficult to motivate yourself for a u-19 game when you really should be a senior player.

Needs to play more against seniors.

Even give him a cap against Zimbabwe type teams.
 
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