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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.
 
BouncerGuy said:
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.
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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
 
TheSultan said:
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
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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.
 
Extra_Cover said:
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.
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100% potential to become a consistent 150+ bowler. He should be treated like an asset already
 
Extra_Cover said:
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.
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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
 
BouncerGuy said:
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
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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.
 
Muhammad Saad said:
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.
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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.
 
GoUgandaCranes said:
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.
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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.
 
TheSultan said:
he’s too quick for these kids. Let’s get him in the main team. I don’t care whoever says “he not ready”
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Nah buddy! 2 early. You want another Rauf (the tape ball cricketer) who goes missing when phainta is on. He needs to get baked in the domestics until ready. But, knowing PCB, you never know if he will even be playing cricket in the future.
 
Speaking during an interview with a private news channel, Ali Raza credited team mentor and manager Sarfaraz Ahmed for guiding them and shaping the team’s winning mindset:

“The Pakistan U19 team worked incredibly hard, and our efforts finally paid off. Sarfaraz Ahmed’s experience and leadership were instrumental in shaping the team’s mindset,”

“He never let us feel homesick. Instead, he created a family-like environment for the team, which really boosted our morale,”

“During my injury, there were times when I didn’t feel like practising. However, the management placed their trust in me, which motivated me to continue working hard.”

“In cricket, there is no small or big player—what matters is showing sportsmanship. India displayed great sportsmanship, and we focused on playing our best cricket against them,”

“I watch bowlers like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Mohammad Asif, Rana Naved, and Mohammad Sami."

"In the Asia Cup final, I remembered Mohammad Amir’s spell from the Champions Trophy. Seeing former greats praise my performance, like Wasim Akram and Ian Bishop tweeting in my support, is a matter of pride for me,”
 
I hope we dont end up with another what could have been with Raza. As Sooravanshi is a talent for Ind, this young man has just as much potential. His Pace is good, seam is poor and thats where the effort has to go in. He has stopped jumping out, something I pointed out a couple of years ago, and that is a positive sign that he is aware of the issues.
 
Bewal Express said:
I hope we dont end up with another what could have been with Raza. As Sooravanshi is a talent for Ind, this young man has just as much potential. His Pace is good, seam is poor and thats where the effort has to go in. He has stopped jumping out, something I pointed out a couple of years ago, and that is a positive sign that he is aware of the issues.
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whats wrong with the seam. He has a natural wobble and that's really deadly these days.
 
There is advantage and HUGE DISADVANTAGE if using wobble seam.

Initially, it is encouraged to have seam up - parallel to the wicket to get maximum swing. It can avoid batsmen taking a stance early to play his/her shot.

Wobbled seam got to have excellent line (length). Since there is minimal swing, anything short or too full will get belted.
 
CricVet said:
Nah buddy! 2 early. You want another Rauf (the tape ball cricketer) who goes missing when phainta is on. He needs to get baked in the domestics until ready. But, knowing PCB, you never know if he will even be playing cricket in the future.
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Bro, Rauf was just a tape ball cricketer. He had pace but literally zero polish. Even now his run up and action are ungainly, he still falls over every ball. Because of this it’s very hard for him to adjust his lengths when he’s going for a few. He doesn’t even have a proper stock ball to go back to.

Ali Raza by contrast has been touted at a young age, he’s played 50 over cricket, 20 over cricket, a bit of red ball cricket already where he’s performed well. He’s also played high pressure u19 tournaments. He has a smooth run up and a good action. Sure he has a bit to learn, his action will improve over time and in an ideal world he prob should have more first class games under his belt. But I am very sceptical of our red ball setup, the standard of cricket and pitches. All I see coming out of our first class structure are trundlers. The nature of our first class cricket makes them this way, it beats them down and they only get slower and slower.

Maybe if he can get a couple of seasons of county cricket, it would help.

Moreover, I’m sick of our ‘mare huwe’ bowlers on the international scene. They are just dead and bowling like fairies. It’s seriously embarassing.

I’m not saying pick him for every game, but there is no harm giving him some t20 and ODI games against the weaker teams but have him part of the setup.
 
He has not got any swing. If he can somehow develop inswinger, which he surely can due to his natural action, he will become more deadly.... Just pace is not enough.
 
He is been with the setup for more than 3 years now and yet he can't move the ball around , he will become another M.Sami or Wahab Riaz if he never learns and he is not that pacy like them either.

They must send him to county or even club cricket in England to sort his basic right.
 
No distinct skills as such. At the international level, guys like Tim David make him regret why he chose cricket as a profession. Amir at a young age distinctly moved the ball. Ali Raza due to scoreboard pressure got some wickets. When he had to bowl first he was hardly effective.
 
jnaveen1980 said:
No distinct skills as such. At the international level, guys like Tim David make him regret why he chose cricket as a profession. Amir at a young age distinctly moved the ball. Ali Raza due to scoreboard pressure got some wickets. When he had to bowl first he was hardly effective.
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Ali Raza is definitely not as talented as Naseem Shah or M.Amir when they first burst in to the scene, however he is few mph quicker than them at the similar age.
 
Muhammad Saad said:
Ali Raza is definitely not as talented as Naseem Shah or M.Amir when they first burst in to the scene, however he is few mph quicker than them at the similar age.
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At this point he doesn't have a decent stock ball. Plus his arms and limbs going all over. Pretty ungainly action. Your first change bowler looks alright though.
 
TheSultan said:
Bro, Rauf was just a tape ball cricketer. He had pace but literally zero polish. Even now his run up and action are ungainly, he still falls over every ball. Because of this it’s very hard for him to adjust his lengths when he’s going for a few. He doesn’t even have a proper stock ball to go back to.

Ali Raza by contrast has been touted at a young age, he’s played 50 over cricket, 20 over cricket, a bit of red ball cricket already where he’s performed well. He’s also played high pressure u19 tournaments. He has a smooth run up and a good action. Sure he has a bit to learn, his action will improve over time and in an ideal world he prob should have more first class games under his belt. But I am very sceptical of our red ball setup, the standard of cricket and pitches. All I see coming out of our first class structure are trundlers. The nature of our first class cricket makes them this way, it beats them down and they only get slower and slower.

Maybe if he can get a couple of seasons of county cricket, it would help.

Moreover, I’m sick of our ‘mare huwe’ bowlers on the international scene. They are just dead and bowling like fairies. It’s seriously embarassing.

I’m not saying pick him for every game, but there is no harm giving him some t20 and ODI games against the weaker teams but have him part of the setup.
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County cricket would definitely help. If he can get picked up by a county, it should accelerate the development of the skills needed to succeed at the top level. Until then, continuing in List A cricket while tightening his seam position makes far more sense.

I seriously doubt he would be picked right now to represent Pakistan in any format. He’s clearly not ready for T20s; rushing him there would do more harm than good - a few phainta will ruin his confidence!
 
CricVet said:
County cricket would definitely help. If he can get picked up by a county, it should accelerate the development of the skills needed to succeed at the top level. Until then, continuing in List A cricket while tightening his seam position makes far more sense.

I seriously doubt he would be picked right now to represent Pakistan in any format. He’s clearly not ready for T20s; rushing him there would do more harm than good - a few phainta will ruin his confidence!
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He ain't gonna get picked up by a county if he isn't playing for Pakistan. They won't waste overseas spot on a rookie.

It's up to us to manage him.

I don't think there is major harm in an odd t20i here and there if PCB believe he will be one for the future.
 
DeadlyVenom said:
He ain't gonna get picked up by a county if he isn't playing for Pakistan. They won't waste overseas spot on a rookie.

It's up to us to manage him.

I don't think there is major harm in an odd t20i here and there if PCB believe he will be one for the future.
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It is not impossible, but improbable for counties to pick him up at this stage. Let see what he does in the WC.

He needs to continue playing List A, improve his skills, and make a name. In my opinion, he needs to avoid playing in T20s where pure Tullay Bazi is supported while preparing pitches where bowlers are made to use every possible skill to save face.
 
jnaveen1980 said:
At this point he doesn't have a decent stock ball. Plus his arms and limbs going all over. Pretty ungainly action. Your first change bowler looks alright though.
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Action is pretty decent

His basic issue is seam position and control

He has pace though but not remotely as talented as Young Amir
 
Muhammad Saad said:
He is been with the setup for more than 3 years now and yet he can't move the ball around , he will become another M.Sami or Wahab Riaz if he never learns and he is not that pacy like them either.

They must send him to county or even club cricket in England to sort his basic right.
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Again another simplistic take. Every time we get a fast bowler, we get the usual arm chair critics talking about wahab, sami and Rauf.

Sami had swing and undeniable pace (one of the quickest of all time at his fastest). But he wasn’t successful. You can have what is perceived as everything but not be successful. You can have very little, be written off and have a very successful career - eg for McGrath even the Aussie commentators in his first year said “we haven’t found a replacement for McDermott here, but we have a good 3rd seamer, we need to keep looking”.

The one thing that strikes me about Ali Raza is the kick he gets off the pitch - Sami never had that.

Ali Raza could be a failure too - no-one knows, but I’d rather he enter the big league soon. Our domestic cricket will make an Abbas or Mohammed Ali or Mir hamza out of him.

A few international games as backup will do him no harm and give him exposure for as @DeadlyVenom said eg a county to get him in. Gone are the days where Imran could ring up his mate Ian Greig and get him a contract like Waqar (even then Waqar actually had played a few international games.

I really don’t see why we have to try and act all “professional” about inducting players at a young age when nothing else in the setup is professional. Im tired of debuting players in their 30s.

Stop being so scared of everything
 
hur rizvi said:
Action is pretty decent

His basic issue is seam position and control

He has pace though but not remotely as talented as Young Amir
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Don’t know what that dude is talking about “arms flaying all over the place”. He has a very consistent action. Can it be improved? yes, but you can’t have the finished product immediately. Many bowlers refine their actions after they’ve started international cricket.

Even Amir bro - he hardly swung the ball in the 2009 CT. Yes, within a year he was bowling bananas in England, but the conditions helped too.
 
TheSultan said:
Don’t know what that dude is talking about “arms flaying all over the place”. He has a very consistent action. Can it be improved? yes, but you can’t have the finished product immediately. Many bowlers refine their actions after they’ve started international cricket.

Even Amir bro - he hardly swung the ball in the 2009 CT. Yes, within a year he was bowling bananas in England, but the conditions helped too.
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Your comment is referring to an Indian - Ask the troll if he can mention a bowler at this stage with a better (smoother) action.

The Gemini's review of his action/bowling to make it a neutral perspective:
Key Aspects of His Action:
  • Pace & Swing: Consistently clocks high speeds (145-146 kph) and uses swing effectively, according to Cricinfo and Instagram.
  • Energy Transfer: Efficiently transfers energy forward through his stride, avoiding upward energy, which contributes to his speed, notes PCB and Facebook.
  • Arm Action: Excellent arm delay and a strong "C" shape between his bowling arm and front foot.
  • Knee Drive: Finishes with a strong knee drive after front foot contact.
  • Targeting: Aims for the top of off and middle stumps, demonstrating accuracy, says YouTube and PCB.
  • Workload: Shows great promise but requires careful management due to his demanding action, according to Facebook
 
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