27th February 2010

By Saj Sadiq

 

Raza Hasan is currently the name on the lips of many Pakistani fans. The very same fans who not so long ago thought his name was a misprint for Hasan Raza, now certainly are familiar with the left arm spinner and the skills he possesses.

Raza who hails from Sialkot, the same cricket mad city as Shoaib Malik and Ijaz Ahmed, has only played two first class matches for Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, but already he's creating quite a stir in Pakistani cricketing circles.

The southpaw who was in outstanding form against Zimbabwe Under-19s last year, taking nine wickets in the series subsequently earned a call-up for the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand. His performances in the Under 19 World Cup were simply breathtaking. His accuracy, guile, variety, control and aggression defied his tender years and Raza resembled a seasoned professional, rather than a youngster just embarking on what promises to be a remarkable cricketing journey.

Yesterday was quite a day for the slender 17 year old. After being named in the provisional 30 man squad for the Twenty/20 World Cup, Raza then once again bamboozled the England Lions with figures of 3 for 13 from 6 magical overs. The England team that has faced the Pakistan "A" team in the UAE recently may have been called Lions, but for Raza he is the one who has been hunting down the prey.

Raza's combined figures in the three 50 over matches against the Lions are an impressive 23.3 overs, 9 wickets for 74 runs, as Pakistan won the three match series, two matches to one.

Current Pakistan "A" coach Ijaz Ahmed speaking to PakPassion.net from Dubai is of absolutely no doubt that Raza should be included in the final 15 man squad for the Twenty/20 World Cup due to be held in the Caribbean later this year. "The pitches in the West Indies are going to assist spin and Raza should be taken in the final squad. He's a very talented boy and has ability that defies the fact that he is only 17 years of age. Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Malik and Raza Hasan could form a very powerful spin attack in the Caribbean".

Ijaz who was recently in temporary charge of the Pakistan senior team that played two matches in Dubai against England is also of the opinion that Raza should be taken to England from June to September when Pakistan take on the hosts and Australia in a prolonged tour. "Yes I firmly believe that Raza will be ready to play in England against Australia and England. He has the ability to perform well in one day cricket and the longer version of the game. He has control and most importantly knows when to defend and when to attack as a bowler" added Ijaz.

Ijaz stated that he was more than a little surprised that Raza was not named in any of the 13 squads for the RBS Twenty/20 Cup that commences in Karachi on Sunday. "Yes I would have thought that he should have been named in one of the squads and I am surprised that his name was not included".

Ijaz a veteran of more than 300 matches for Pakistan believes that the Pakistan cricketing system continues to produce the occasional bright talent such as Raza Hasan and he puts this largely down to the important work that is being carried out by the National Cricket Academy. "There's some fantastic work being done at the NCA and me and some of my colleagues there recommended to the Board that an NCA team be allowed to participate in the fifty over National Under 19 competition. The Board agreed to our request and the NCA team did very well, losing in the final. A number of the Pakistan Under 19 boys that did so well in the World Cup in New Zealand were part of that NCA Squad. I can't emphasise enough just how important the role of the NCA is in developing the young talent in Pakistan".

Ijaz feels that reigning World Twenty/20 champions Pakistan stand a very good chance of regaining the trophy and has high hopes that the players that he recently worked with can retain the title. "Pakistan have a very good chance of lifting the trophy once again. The conditions in the West Indies will suit Pakistan and the spinners that I have mentioned earlier in this interview will play a major role. In addition to the names that I have mentioned, I would say that Mohammad Hafeez should be included in the World Cup squad. He would give the team an additional bowling option in the West Indies and can of course open the batting too. He has led the "A" team very well and his bowling has been excellent here in Dubai".

Responding to a question regarding potential weaknesses in the squad such as the opening slots, 41 year old Ahmed stated "Well the selection of the quad is the selectors job, so we only work with the players that are selected, but I will say that the fielding needs to improve. We have been a poor fielding side for quite some time now and that is one area of the game that undoubtedly needs more focus".

Ahmed was satisfied with the Pakistan "A" squad's efforts against the England Lions even though the players had come to the Emirates to play one day cricket, on the back of the Quaid E Azam Trophy. "The A" team can be mostly satisfied with their efforts. The squad that was chosen was based on performances in the 4 day Quaid E Azam Trophy competition, but of course had to adjust straight away to the twenty over and fifty over formats of the game".

Ijaz is unsure of his future role within the Pakistan cricketing structure. He led the Pakistan Under 19s to a World Cup final, has performed an admirable job with the Pakistan "A" team and was in charge of the Pakistan senior team against England and stated to PakPassion.net "I've had no firm offers yet about my future, but will discuss these things with the Board when I reach Pakistan. I love working with the players, to try and help them and to get them to reach their potential. It doesn't matter to me what role I am given, I will always do the best for my country".