Tag: Ali Raza

LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi youngster Ali Raza etched his name into the record books with a stunning hat-trick against Karachi Kings during their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 encounter at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old pacer produced a remarkable final over to derail Karachi’s innings, claiming three wickets in as many deliveries to restrict them to 182-9.

Raza began his hat-trick with the dismissal of Khushdil Shah, who fell in unfortunate fashion via a hit-wicket. He then followed it up with two pinpoint yorkers to clean up Shahid Aziz and Hasan Ali.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

With this effort, Raza became only the seventh bowler in PSL history to register a hat-trick.

The milestone list is headlined by Mohammad Amir, who achieved the league’s first hat-trick in the inaugural 2016 edition, followed by notable names such as Junaid Khan and Imran Tahir.

Hat-tricks in Pakistan Super League (PSL)

• Mohammad Amir (KK) against Lahore Qalandars in 2016
• Junaid Khan (MS) against Lahore Qalandars in 2018
• Imran Tahir (MS) against Quetta Gladiators in 2018
• Mohammad Sami (IU) against Peshawar Zalmi in 2019
• Abbas Afridi (MS) against Quetta Gladiators in 2023
• Akeal Hosein (QG) against Peshawar Zalmi in 2024
• Ali Raza (PZ) against Karachi Kings in 2026

In addition to joining the elite list, Raza also set a new benchmark by becoming the youngest Pakistani to take a T20 hat-trick at just 18 years and 35 days.

The young pacer capped off an impressive outing with figures of 4-41, having earlier removed Karachi Kings captain David Warner during the powerplay.

READ: Rawalpindiz owner breaks silence on Mohammad Rizwan’s captaincy

LAHORE: Kusal Mendis continued his rich vein of form as Peshawar Zalmi eased past Karachi Kings in Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 clash at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

Unbeaten Zalmi chased down a stiff target of 183 inside 18 overs, losing only three wickets in the process.

The opening pair of James Vince and Babar Azam added 37  in the first five overs before both batters were sent back in successive overs.

Babar was caught after scoring 25 from 19, whereas Vince was caught behind on 16.  The wickets brought Aaron Hardie and Kusal Mendis on the crease. The pair tried to arrest the slide with a brief 22-run partnership. However, Hardie fell prey to Khusdil Shah, putting Karachi Kings in pole position.

At this stage, the scorecard read 67-3 in 7.4 overs with Farhan Yousaf joining Mendis. The pair launched a recovery and took their side out of trouble. Both batters batted briskly, soaking up all the pressure.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Mendis and Yousaf took the game away from Karachi Kings in the last five overs, taking the attack to the bowlers. The pair finished with an unbeaten 119-run partnership from 69 balls, propelling Zalmi to their eighth win on the trot.

Mendis — the leading run scorer of the tournament- struck four sixes and five fours in his 80* off 43 balls. Yousaf, on the other hand, scored his maiden half-century, hitting three sixes and five fours. He made 58 off 36 deliveries.

For Karachi Kings, Abbas Afridi, Khushdil Shah and Hasan Ali picked up one wicket each.

Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi seamer Ali Raza produced a sensational hat-trick to derail Karachi Kings after an aggressive half-century by Jason Roy.

Batting first after winning the toss, Karachi Kings had a mixed outing despite a strong start from opener Jason Roy, who anchored the innings with a fluent 85 off 51 deliveries, striking 11 fours and two sixes.

Captain David Warner struggled at the top, managing just 11 off 13 balls before being bowled by Raza early in the innings.

Roy, however, kept the scoreboard moving and built short partnerships of 36 and 27 with Salman Ali Agha and Reeza Hendricks, respectively, maintaining Karachi’s momentum through the middle overs.

The real turning point came when Azam Khan joined Roy and counterattacked brilliantly. The Karachi Kings duo added 63 runs in just 32 deliveries, putting Peshawar Zalmi under pressure before Iftikhar Ahmed broke the stand by dismissing Azam for a quickfire 35 off 19 balls.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Roy soon followed, falling to Mohammad Basit after completing a well-compiled knock that had kept Karachi in control for most of the innings.

From there, the innings collapsed dramatically as no batter managed to offer resistance. Karachi Kings managed to score 182-9 in their 20 overs.

Ali Raza returned in death overs to tear through the lower order, taking his first PSL hat-trick and finishing with four wickets in total. He was supported by Mohammad Basit, Iftikhar Ahmed, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Aaron Hardie, who claimed one wicket each.

READ: Will Nahid Rana, Mustafizur Rahman return to PSL 11?

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the men’s U19 World Cup team of the tournament, including Pakistan fast bowler Ali Raza.

The team is led by runners-up of the tournament England’s skipper Thomas Rew, joined by compatriots Manny Lumsden and Ben Mayes.

Meanwhile, the tournament winners, India, have three players on the team, including their teenage sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Rew was added on the back of a stellar run in the tournament, where he amassed 330 runs at an average of 66, including a sublime century in the semi-final against Australia.

Manny Lumsden and Ben Mayes were added to the team, with both leading run scorers and wicket takers of the tournament.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The notable inclusion was of teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who shattered multiple records during his epic 175 from 80 in the final against England.

Overall, he amassed 439 runs, falling just six short of the tournament’s highest run getter. The southpaw scored one century and three fifties at a strike rate of 169.49.

The sole Pakistani player in the team was Ali Raza, who was included on the back of his 13 wickets at 13.92.

The team was picked by a panel comprising Ian Bishop (Convenor),  Lydia Greenway, Andy Flower, and Telford Vice.

ICC U19 team of the tournament:

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Viran Chamuditha, Faisal Khan Shinozada, Thomas Rew (c/wk), Oliver Peake, Ben Mayes, Kanishk Chouhan, Nooristani Omarzai, Vitel Lawes, Ali Raza, Manny Lumsden and Henil Patel (12th player).

READ: PSL 11 auction: Base prices of Haris Rauf, Amir, Rizwan revealed

Legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram has thrown his weight behind teenage pacer Ali Raza, calling him one of the most exciting fast-bowling prospects in Pakistan cricket.

In an interview with Wisden Cricket, the former Pakistan captain praised Raza’s raw pace and natural talent, saying that with proper guidance, the youngster could develop into a world-class bowler.

“I very rarely watch Pakistan’s first-class cricket, but I think this young fast bowler, Ali Raza, has a bright future ahead,” Akram said.

“If he’s guided properly and understands what it takes to become a top red-ball bowler, the white-ball success will follow automatically.”

Wasim Akram also shared his optimism about the current global pace scene, pointing out that Shaheen Shah Afridi, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mitchell Starc have all rediscovered their rhythm.

“Shaheen, in particular, has regained his pace, which is a great sign,” he noted.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

However, he did not hold back when addressing what he sees as one of the sport’s biggest challenges, which is politics creeping into cricket.

“What I don’t like in cricket is politics; sports should be away from it,” he said. “In league cricket, every player from every nation should be picked. Be brave, be bigger, but that’s not happening, unfortunately.”

“That’s where the ICC and cricket boards need to step in. Regardless of who owns the leagues or the teams, opportunities should be open for everyone,” he added.

For the unversed, seventeen-year-old Ali Raza has been one of the breakout performers of PSL 10, representing Peshawar Zalmi.

The right-arm quick picked up 12 wickets in nine matches at an average of 25.25 and an economy rate of 9.18, earning plaudits from both fans and former players.

READ: India announces $5.75 million reward for women’s World Cup winners

Teenage fast bowler Ali Raza has brushed aside speculation regarding his eye health, insisting he is fully fit and focused on representing Pakistan at the highest level.

Speaking to the media during the PCB’s Skills Development Camp in Lahore, the 17-year-old addressed circulating rumours about an alleged eye issue and made it clear that his health is not a concern.

“I am relying on my hard work and self-belief. I am fully fit and have no issues with my eyes,” Raza clarified.

Recently, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also issued an official statement dismissing the rumours, confirming the young pacer’s availability for selection across all formats.

“Ali Raza has no eye disease and is available for selection,” a PCB official said.

Raza, who impressed during Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 with 12 wickets for Peshawar Zalmi, also responded to praise from former West Indies pacer Ian Bishop.

“If someone like Ian Bishop praises you, it’s a big honour. I want to prove that his praise is justified,” Raza remarked.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Drawing inspiration from Pakistan’s iconic fast bowlers, Ali Raza said he aims to blend Shoaib Akhtar’s pace, Wasim Akram’s swing, and Waqar Younis’ yorkers into his own bowling.

“I want to develop those kinds of skills and be remembered for my bowling. I want to learn how to adapt to different conditions and become a complete fast bowler,” he added.

The teenager also acknowledged the guidance of Peshawar Zalmi’s captain, Babar Azam, during the PSL 10.

“Babar Azam supported me a lot during the PSL. I want to give my best for the country,” he said.

It’s worth noting that Ali Raza has also featured in 11 Youth ODIs for Pakistan U19, where he picked up 26 wickets at an economy rate of 4.91.

READ: Pakistan hockey captain Ammad Butt declines PSB luncheon over THIS reason

Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has thrown his weight behind two of Peshawar Zalmi’s emerging talents, Abdul Samad and Ali Raza, as potential future prospects for the national side.

Speaking on the Zalmi TV podcast, Babar was asked to name young players he believes are capable of graduating to the international stage.

Without hesitation, the Peshawar Zalmi captain highlighted Samad and Raza, calling them “our young blood.”

“Abdul Samad is still new and has a lot of room to grow,” Babar said, adding that the batter needs to fine-tune his game to meet the demands of international cricket. “You have to be ready for that level.”

Babar Azam reserved high praise for teenage pacer Ali Raza, calling him a “special talent” who has what it takes to shine for Pakistan in the near future.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

“He [Ali Raza] is a special talent and capable of playing at the international level,” he added.

“But he needs time, and with gradual development, he will be ready for international cricket.”

Samad, 27, made his T20I debut against New Zealand in the five-match series held in April.

While he showed glimpses of promise, he struggled for consistency, scoring 66 runs in five matches with a top score of 44. His series strike rate of 113.79 and average of 16.50 highlight the adjustment phase he’s currently going through.

Meanwhile, in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, Samad has scored 44 runs at a strike rate of 200 in four matches for Peshawar Zalmi.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

On the other hand, 17-year-old Ali Raza has emerged as one of the breakout performers of PSL 10.

The young right-arm quick has claimed nine wickets in seven matches, maintaining a healthy average of 24.11 and an economy rate of 8.03, showcasing both wicket-taking ability and control.

Meanwhile, Zalmi are set to resume their PSL 10 campaign later today with a high-voltage clash against Karachi Kings at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

The league had been briefly suspended last week amid rising cross-border tensions with India, but normal service has now resumed.

READ: PSL 10 set to resume with musical tribute to armed forces

Former England pacer and commentator Dominic Cork has praised Pakistan’s emerging pacer Ali Raza after his impressive performance against Multan Sultans in the PSL 10.

After posting an imposing 227-run total, Zalmi’s bowling unit came out with relentless intent and ensured there was no room for a comeback from the Sultans.

The chase began shakily for Multan Sultans, who lost their skipper Mohammad Rizwan (15) in the fourth over with only 27 runs on the board. Despite a brief 36-run stand between Usman Khan and Shai Hope, the resistance was short-lived.

Arif Yaqoob removed Hope (20) in the seventh over, opening the floodgates for a collapse that saw Multan Sultans lose their remaining eight wickets for just 44 runs.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

Usman was the only batter to offer any real fight, scoring a 22-ball 44 laced with four fours and three sixes, but it wasn’t enough to rescue the innings.

Young pacer Ali Raza was the pick of the bowlers for Peshawar Zalmi, grabbing 4/21 in his four overs. Arif Yaqoob showed his brilliance by grabbing three wickets, while Mitchell Owen chipped in with two.

This commanding result eclipsed the previous best margin of victory Peshawar Zalmi, which was a 76-run win over Quetta Gladiators last season.

While speaking during the PSL 10 match, Cork emphasized on Ali’s potential, stressing the need for smarter management with the young bowler.

“Ali Raza is a real talent – look after him. Focus on core strength and stability, ” he said.

“It’s not just about lifting heavy but managing it smartly. Nurture him. We’ve seen pacers like Ihsanullah shine and then struggle post-injury. Don’t repeat that,” Cork added.

It is worth mentioning that West Indies’ legendary cricketer and renowned commentator Ian Bishop has lauded Ali Raza’s abilities on several occasions.

Ian Bishop took to Twitter to express his admiration for the exceptional skills of a young pacer following their impressive performances in the Under-19 and domestic tournaments.

The 17-year-old fast bowler, who debuted in first-class cricket last year, has started impressively, taking 32 wickets in just six matches.

READ: Peshawar Zalmi create history with dominant victory over Multan Sultans