'He has the potential to increase his pace by another 10-15 kph' - Mohammad Zahid on teenage pacer Ali Raza

Ali Raza, the 18-year-old Pakistan Under-19 pacer, has emerged as one of the country's most promising fast bowling prospects. The teenager has already demonstrated his ability across multiple age-group tournaments, catching the attention of experienced figures within Pakistan's cricket system. Former Pakistan bowler Mohammad Zahid, who has worked extensively with the nation's bowling unit, has assessed Raza's development trajectory and believes the young cricketer possesses significant room for improvement.

Zahid's evaluation centres on Raza's capacity to add considerable pace to his deliveries in the coming years. The former bowler has made a specific prediction about the teenager's future capability, suggesting that Raza's current speed combined with his improvement trajectory indicates substantial growth potential ahead.

"This is my personal assessment that Ali Raza has the potential to increase his pace by another 10-15 kph. If he bowls that fast and he is improving 10 or 15 kph, then I want to see how these modern-day batters will handle Ali Raza bowling 155 kph. I think he will be too hot to handle," Zahid told PakPassion as quoted by A Sports.

What did Zahid say about Raza's pace potential?

During the Asian Cricket Council Under-19s Asia Cup, Raza demonstrated his effectiveness against age-group opposition. The teenager claimed five wickets across two matches at an average of 15, showcasing his ability to perform consistently in competitive tournaments at the Under-19 level.

How has Raza performed in recent tournaments?

Raza has already delivered at speeds that rival many established international bowlers. In a T20 match, the teenager produced a ball at 149.1 kph, demonstrating that he is already operating at velocities close to what many professional cricketers achieve regularly in their careers.

What were Raza's achievements at the 2024 Under-19 World Cup?

At the 2024 Under-19 World Cup, Raza played as a 15-year-old and took nine wickets across three matches. His standout performance came in the semi-final against Australia, where he claimed 4-34, establishing himself as a significant prospect for Pakistan's future bowling plans.

Also Read: Aminul Islam takes up advisory role with Lahore Qalandars

In this year's Under-19 World Cup, Raza picked up 13 wickets in just five matches at an average of 13.92 and a strike rate of 20.76.