Former pacer sees Ali Raza as a threat to batters

Former Pakistan speedster Mohammad Zahid has tipped pacer Ali Raza to become even quicker in the coming years and pose a significant threat to modern-day batters. 

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Pak Passion, Zahid suggested that Ali has the potential to add another 10–15 kmph to his current pace.

“This is my personal assessment that Ali Raza has the potential to increase his pace by another 10–15 kmph,” said Zahid, who represented Pakistan in five Tests and 11 ODIs.

He predicted that the 18-year-old speed could eventually touch speeds of 155 kmph or more even beyond, adding that such raw pace would make him a challenge for modern-day batters.

“If he bowls that fast and he is improving 10 or 15 kmph, then I want to see how these modern-day batters will handle Ali Raza bowling 155 kmph. I think he will be too hot to handle,” he added.

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For those unaware, Ali Raza has been tipped as the next big thing in Pakistan cricket, with his raw pace raising eyebrows. His bowling has also received praise from former West Indies cricketer and renowned commentator Ian Bishop.

The right-arm pacer first burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old during the U19 World Cup in 2024, where he played only three matches and picked up nine wickets, including a four-wicket haul.

He also represented the national U19 team in the 2026 World Cup earlier this year, finishing as the fourth-highest wicket-taker with 13 wickets in five matches, alongside teammate Abdul Subhan.

Ali continued his impressive bowling in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, represnting title holders Peshawar Zalmi. In total, he picked up 10 wickets in five matches at an average of 16.80. His most notable performance came against Karachi Kings, when he became the youngest Pakistan pacer to take a T20 hat-trick.

Besides his impressive outings in white-ball cricket, Ali has also made a strong start to his first-class career, taking 30 wickets in six matches at an average of 20.50.

The pacer nearly missed a call to the national side for the upcoming ODI series against Australia with reports suggesting that selectors want to manage his workload.

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