Ali Raza: From bowling with torn shoes in Sheikhpura to almost taking Pakistan to the U-19 World Cup final

Three years ago, Muhammad Masroor, Pakistan U-19 assistant batting coach saw a 12-year-old with torn shoes bowling his heart out in the nets at Rana Naved-ul-Hasan cricket academy in Sheikhpura. The boy was Ali Raza, who on Thursday, almost took Pakistan into the final of the U-19 World Cup.

“Raza is a future prospect,” Masroor had told The Indian Express on the eve of the semifinal. “He hails from Nankana Sahib in Sheikhpura. He has played most of his cricket in the village. He hates going to the gym. He just loves bowling in the nets; you have to literally pull him out. That part of Pakistan has always produced good pacers such as Mohammed Asif, Aaqib Javed, and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan. All three were masters of their craft,” said Masroor.

It was Masroor, who spotted Raza’s potential and in November 2022, selected the youngster in a home series against Bangladesh.

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“We were playing a three-day game at the Rana Naved Cricket Academy. In the morning, I saw a young boy wipe and clean the nets with the broom, and bowl for two hours on the trot. During lunch, he rested for an hour and started bowling again. He is that lambi race ka ghoda (in for a long haul). He knows how to bowl long spells that you don’t see in the current pacers. He is not a T20 bowler,” Masroor had said.

All the traits Masroor had spoken about were visible in the semi-final clash. The 15-year-old bowled with cramps, hobbled off after bowling his last over, but only after conjuring one of the finest spells of the tournament picking up 4 for 34. But it was not enough as the last wicket stand between Raf MacMillan (19 not out) and Callum Vidler (2 not out) took Australia home and set up the final clash against India.

“I will remember this spell from this young man for a long time,” Ian Bishop gushed in commentary. “He is a super star!”

Chasing 180, Australia were in control with their openers negotiating the early burst from Ubaid Shah. Raza provided Pakistan the first breakthrough after he cleaned up Sam Konstas. A mini-collapse reduced Australia to 59 for in 16. 3 overs before Harry Dixon (50) and Oliver Peake (49) put on a 43-run stand for the fifth wicket. But left-arm-spinner Arafat Minhas (2/20) castled both the set batters with rapid arm-balls to turn the tide again.

Ali Raza of Pakistan celebrates the wicket of Mahli Beardman of Australia during Semi-Final match at Willowmoore Park in Benoni (ICC Media Zone)

Raja turned in figures of 4-0-9-3 in his second spell to almost seize a victory. “This is absolute gold from Ali Raza,” Bishop screamed in his iconic way after Raza dismissed Australia’s No 10 Mahli Beardman.

Ubaid Shah and Mohammed Zeeshan failed to repeat the performances that they showed against Bangladesh and Australia’s last wicket partnership sneaked to the final.

Despite the loss, in Raza, Pakistan has unearthed a gem that Bishop feels if nurtured carefully can become an all-time great for the country. “He is so tiny but I can tell you from what I can see that this kid is quick. For the next three years, he needs to be nurtured. He should get the world’s best strength conditioning coach. He is a finished product that just needs a little bit of fine-tuning. If they (Pakistan) would do that, they have a real talent in their hands,” Bishop said.

Masroor, who has seen the boy from close quarters in Pakistan U-19 set up as well as at Rawalpindi Raiders in the Pakistan Junior League (PJL), believes it is Raza who will play for Pakistan before Ubaid and Zeeshan.

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“Ubaid and Zeesahan have injury-prone actions. If they will bowl in the pressure situation in the PSL or any match, they will succumb. But not Raza, this boy has got a big heart. When Ubaid and Zeeshan play first-class cricket, they will break down. The training in Pakistan is all gym-oriented nowadays. They are not bowling too many overs in the nets. Raza can bowl long spells. All three of them are good talents but it is work ethics after the U-19 World Cup that matters the most,” said Masroor.

Raza had developed a passion for the sport while playing in the school cricket tournaments.

“To participate in any local tournament, I would personally finance my trips to neighbouring areas and try to play. However, the participating teams would not give me a chance but I stayed dedicated and waited for my opportunity. On one occasion, they gave me a couple of overs and I impressed them with my skills. From thereon, I earned the respect of my peers and would often win my local team tournaments,” Ali had said on PCB’s YouTube channel ahead of the tournament. “Masroor bhai has supported me a lot. He sat down with me to analyse my bowling and expand my armoury with variations. Additionally, he supervised a consistent run for me at the Pakistan Junior League as well.”

At 15, Raza has the world on his feet as Bishop said he can still play two U-19 World Cups. but he needs to be taken care of, which Masroor feels is going to be a challenge.

“Sadly, we don’t have that system for the fast bowlers. We don’t have a proper rehab system. We don’t have good bowling coaches. The biomechanics labs are also not working. Raza indeed is a future superstar, but we all have to take care of him like our own kids.”

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