PakPassion presents the latest in it's highly popular Talent Spotter section where we find out a little bit "more than the usual" topics about our up and coming cricketers.This time we catch up with highly rated batsman Rameez Raja junior .

by Saj Sadiq (5th August 2011)

PakPassion presents the latest in it's highly popular Talent Spotter section where we find out a little bit "more than the usual" topics about our up and coming cricketers.

This time we catch up with highly rated batsman Rameez Raja junior who of course had a fantastic Faysal Bank Super 8s competition recently in Faisalabad.

Name : Rameez Raja

Age: 24

Birth Place: Karachi, Sind

Major Teams: Karachi Blues, Karachi Dolphins, Karachi Harbour, Karachi Zebras, Pakistan A, Pakistan Under-19s, Sind

How he got into cricket: There were no family members who played cricket at first class level. I just got into cricket by watching it on television and then started playing at academy level at the age of 12.


Club Cricket in Karachi: CCP (Cricket Centre Pakistan) in Karachi. I started playing for Shaheen Gymkhana also and played for their under 15s.


Pakistan Junior Selections: I was in the Asia Cup 2002 Under 15 squad. Then also played in the Under 17 Asia Cup in 2004 where Pakistan won the trophy and also have played for the Pakistan Under 19s on a regular basis.

I've toured Malaysia with one of my club sides. I've also toured India with Pakistan Under 17s and Sri Lanka in 2006 at the Under 19 World Cup.


Cricketing Heroes: I have always been a huge fan of Sachin Tendulkar's. He was the cricketer that I liked the most as a child and even to this day, he is the cricketer that I admire the most.

Other than Sachin I really like stylish batsmen, cricketers who bat with some panache like Damien Martyn, AB DeVilliers, Ian Bell.


Favourite Shot: I believe by the Grace of God I have a nice balance of all round shots on both sides of the wicket. However if I had to pick a favouite shot, a shot that I really enjoy playing it is the square cut.


Current Favourite Pakistani Batsman: That would be my Karachi team mate and very good friend, Asad Shafiq. I've admired his batting from an early age, since our days in the Karachi Under 19s and have seen him develop and improve as a batsman over the years.


Favourite Ground: The Premadasa Stadium in Colombo is one of my favourite grounds as we won the Under 19 World Cup there. Also the ground that has been the turning point of my career which is the Iqbal Stadium in Faislabad, where I have been noticed by the selectors, fans and media after my performances in the Faysal Bank Super Eights recently.


Toughest Bowler(s) Faced: That would be the experienced duo of Fazl E Akbar and Shahid Nazir. Both bowlers were very difficult to face and were getting the ball to move around at will. Inswingers and outswingers with the new ball and the old ball and clever use of the wrist to disguise their variety.


Hobbies and Interests Outside Cricket: I love watching and playing football. My favourite teams are Manchester United and Barcelona.

I also do some part time modelling and have appeared in some television adverts. 


Favourite Sportsman (Non Cricket): David Beckham. A great footballer and ambassador. 


Future Plans: I want to have a great debut for Pakistan. I want to make my introduction into international cricket a memorable one. I want to then establish myself in the Pakistan side in all formats and to play for Pakistan (God Willing) for many years to come.