Who Is Ali Raza? Pakistan’s 17-year-old speedster wreaking havoc at U19 World Cup 2026

Who is Ali Raza? [Source - @rayhamunplugged/x]

Pakistan has long been regarded as a factory of world-class fast bowlers, and the latest name to emerge is Ali Raza. The 17-year-old speedster, representing Pakistan U19 in the ongoing U19 World Cup, has quickly grabbed attention with his raw pace and fearless approach.

Ali Raza announced himself in the U19 World Cup 2026 with a stunning four-wicket haul against Scotland in Harare. After an encouraging start to the tournament against England earlier, it was this match that truly showcased his wicket-taking ability and composure under pressure at such a young age.

Asked to bat first, Scotland had no answers to Ali Raza’s fiery opening spell as he struck twice in the very first over, rattling Theo Robinson and Max Chaplin’s stumps, before returning later to finish with impressive figures of 4/37, bundling Scotland out for 187.

Ali Raza’s rapid rise through Pakistan U19 ranks

Raza is a right-arm quick bowler capable of generating rapid pace, consistently above 140 kmph and currently leads Pakistan’s U19 pace attack. He made his debut back in November 2022 at just 14 years of age with his pace and aggression. 

Moreover, Raza was also part of the 2024 U19 World Cup and gained widespread recognition further as his reputation enhanced with notable performances against India’s star prospect Vaibhav Suryavanshi, dismissing him twice so far in his U19 career.

Looking at the numbers, Ali has played 17 Youth ODIs for Pakistan since 2022, taking 38 wickets at an impressive average of 18.21, ranking sixth among Pakistan U19’s top YODI wicket-takers and second among pacers.

Raza’s Explosive first taste of the PSL

Adding to an already promising start to his career, Ali Raza has also enjoyed a breakthrough stint in the PSL, impressing many during the 2025 edition while representing Peshawar Zalmi. Consistently clocking speeds above 145 kmph, he troubled experienced international batters with sheer pace and fearless short bursts.

Beyond raw speed, Ali possesses the ability to deceive batters with subtle seam movement, especially in the early phases. His knack for extracting bounce and movement makes him a valuable asset, underlining why experts see him as a future mainstay of Pakistan’s fast-bowling legacy.

A glimpse into Pakistan’s next fast-bowling star

Raza’s rise at just 17 reflects Pakistan’s enduring fast-bowling legacy and its ability to unearth rare pace talents early. His fearless spells in the recent U19 Asia Cup and now in the U19 World Cup, highlighted by match-defining performances, show maturity beyond his age and hint at a bright, fast-tracked future.

With experience already spanning U19 World Cups and the PSL, Ali Raza is no longer just a prospect but a serious name to watch. If nurtured carefully, his raw pace, wicket-taking instinct, and big-match temperament could soon translate into senior international success for Pakistan.