Pakistan’s emerging fast bowler Ali Raza has left plenty of legends impressed with his bowling during a prolific 2025, and now he has earned praise from one of the greatest players in the history of the game.
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has earmarked Ali Raza for future success, calling him one of the most promising talents in the country’s new generation of pacers.
Speaking to Wisden, Akram said he expects good things from the 17-year-old if he trains under the right people.
“I rarely watch Pakistan’s first-class cricket, but I think this young fast bowler from Pakistan, Ali Raza—he’s got a bright future ahead. If he’s in the right hands, if he knows what he has to do to be a top red-ball bowler, the white-ball will follow automatically,” he said.
🗣️ "He's got a bright future ahead." 🌟
Which young fast bowler will be the next big thing? ⚡️
Wasim Akram thinks this uncapped 17-year-old could be a huge talent 👀 pic.twitter.com/zokNRzOTFp
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) November 3, 2025
Wasim Akram isn’t the first legend of the game to praise the youngster. Dominic Cork and Ian Bishop have both seen first-hand what Ali Raza can do with the ball and have called him the future of Pakistan’s pace bowling.
While he has been making waves in Pakistan’s junior team for a while, most of the country got to know about the pacer during this year’s PSL, where his pace left many batters clueless. For a compliment coming from Wasim Akram—a master of his craft—it’s a moment Ali is unlikely to forget.
Fans, and Ali Raza himself, will be hoping that this is just the start of something special for Pakistan’s next pace bowling hope.
