Ali Raza: “I want to give a lot of credit to Mohammad Asif who called me and also Mohammad Zahid spoke with me. They both backed me and praised me. When legends back you, it’s a great feeling”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan pace bowler Ali Raza has revealed that it was “a great feeling” to be backed by former seamers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Zahid.
He noted that both players called him and praised him for what he has achieved thus far.
Raza is one of the brightest fast bowling prospects in the country and could very well make his international debut in the near future.
In this year’s Pakistan Super League (PSL), the 18-year-old took 10 wickets in five matches for the Peshawar Zalmi at an average of 16.80 and an economy rate of 9.78.
Raza was recently playing first-class cricket, but only managed to claim two wickets in two President’s Trophy Grade-I games for Ghani at an average of 86.50.
Despite his underwhelming performance, Raza is determined to keep doing well, particularly after receiving praise from two well-known Pakistan bowlers.
“I want to give a lot of credit to Mohammad Asif who called me and also Mohammad Zahid spoke with me. They both backed me and praised me. When legends back you, it’s a great feeling,” the teenager was quoted as saying by journalist Saj Sadiq on X.
Pakistan recently won their T20I series against Sri Lanka 2-1 and then proceeded to triumph in the ODI tri-series against Sri Lanka and England.
Next up for them will be a two-Test series against Sri Lanka, which will be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore from November 9 to 21.
Pakistan will add two pacers to their side after the three-day warm-up match between PCB Patron’s and Sri Lanka from November 4 to 6.
Pakistan Squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka: Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Sameer Minhas, Saud Shakeel