Hasan Raza, a name synonymous with prodigious talent and early promise in the realm of cricket, embarked on a unique journey in the sport at an astonishingly young age. Born on March 11, 1982, in Karachi, Pakistan, Raza’s cricketing career is a narrative of early brilliance and the complexities of living up to early expectations. His journey from a record-setting debutant to a seasoned domestic player encapsulates both the highs and lows experienced by professional athletes. This article delves into the life and career of Hasan Raza, exploring his meteoric rise as one of the youngest players in international cricket, his challenges in sustaining success at the highest level, and his continued contribution to domestic cricket in Pakistan. Raza’s story is not just about cricket; it’s a reflection of resilience and adaptability in the face of ever-changing dynamics of professional sports.
Batting Career Summary
| M | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 200 | 50 | 4s | 6s | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 7 | 10 | 1 | 235 | 68 | 26.11 | 608 | 38.65 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 39 | 0 |
| ODI | 16 | 13 | 0 | 242 | 77 | 18.62 | 480 | 50.42 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 1 |
Bowling Career Summary
| M | Inn | B | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Econ | Avg | SR | 5W | 10W | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 7 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0/1 | 0/1 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODI | 16 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Career Information
Test debut vs Zimbabwe at Iqbal Stadium, Oct 24, 1996
Last Test vs England at Gaddafi Stadium, Nov 29, 2005
ODI debut vs Zimbabwe at Bugti Stadium, Oct 30, 1996
Last ODI vs Sri Lanka at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Oct 22, 1999
Hasan Raza: A Detailed Biography
Hasan Raza, born on March 11, 1982, in Karachi, Pakistan, is a former Pakistani cricketer renowned for being one of the youngest players to debut in international cricket. His early debut at the age of 14 years and 227 days in 1996 against Zimbabwe in Faisalabad garnered significant attention and raised questions about the authenticity of his age at the time of his debut. Raza’s career in domestic cricket was marked by impressive performances, but he struggled to replicate this success at the international level.
Despite his early debut, Raza’s international career didn’t flourish as expected. He played in seven Test matches and 16 One Day Internationals (ODIs) for Pakistan between 1996 and 2005, with his last ODI being against Sri Lanka. His average in ODIs was around 18.6, and in Tests, it was approximately 26.11. Raza’s performances in the 1999 Coca-Cola Cup, especially his career-best 77 against the West Indies, were among the highlights of his international career. However, he was unable to maintain consistency in his performances.
At the domestic level, Raza was a prolific run-scorer, having played over 200 first-class games for various teams, including a long stint with Habib Bank Limited cricket team and later Pakistan Television cricket team. His decision to join the Indian Cricket League (ICL), which was not sanctioned under the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and deemed unofficial a few years after its formation, adversely affected his chances of making a comeback to the national team.
Raza’s education was at St. Patrick’s High School in Karachi. In terms of personal life and other details such as his net worth or family, specific information was not readily available.
Raza’s career later faced controversies, including alleged involvement in a match-fixing scandal revealed by Al Jazeera regarding pitch tampering during a test match between Sri Lanka and Australia in 2016. These allegations further impacted his career, and he was not selected for the 2018–19 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy by his domestic side, Pakistan Television.
In summary, Hasan Raza’s cricketing journey is a tale of early promise, unfulfilled potential at the international stage, and later controversies that overshadowed his early achievements in the sport.
Professional Journey of Hasan Raza in Cricket
Hasan Raza’s cricketing career, marked by a blend of early promise and later struggles, presents an intriguing journey in the world of cricket. Born on March 11, 1982, in Karachi, Pakistan, Raza garnered attention as one of the youngest players to debut in international cricket. His precocious talent led to his debut at the tender age of 14 years and 227 days in 1996 against Zimbabwe in Faisalabad, a record at that time that sparked controversy and investigations into the legitimacy of his age claims.
In his domestic career, Raza was a prolific run-scorer, consistently performing well in Pakistan’s domestic cricket. However, he found it challenging to translate this success to the international stage. His international career included playing for the Pakistan national cricket team between 1996 and 2005, where he played seven Test matches and 16 One Day Internationals (ODIs). Despite showing potential, he could not maintain consistency, and his international career was marked by sporadic appearances and unfulfilled potential. His averages in ODIs and Tests were 18.6 and 26.11, respectively.
Raza’s career experienced a significant turning point when he joined the Indian Cricket League (ICL), an unsanctioned league, which seemingly ended his hopes of returning to international cricket. In the ICL, he performed remarkably well in his first season, becoming the leading run-scorer. However, the ICL was later deemed unofficial by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), impacting players associated with it.
In addition to his cricketing exploits, Raza’s career also faced controversies, including an alleged involvement in a match-fixing scandal related to the tampering of the Galle pitch in a test match between Sri Lanka and Australia in 2016. These allegations led to him being overlooked for selection in the 2018–19 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy by his domestic side, Pakistan Television.
Despite the challenges and controversies, Raza’s domestic career was notable, with him playing over 200 first-class games for various teams, including a long stint with Habib Bank Limited cricket team and Pakistan Television cricket team.
Overall, Hasan Raza’s cricketing journey reflects a story of early talent, intermittent success, and the impact of off-field controversies on a potentially promising career.
Distinct Playing Style of Hasan Raza Explored
Hasan Raza’s playing style in cricket was characterized by his talent as a right-handed batsman and his ability to time the ball well. Despite his proficiency and grace on the field, he faced challenges in replicating his domestic success at the international level. Known for his elegant strokeplay and timing, Raza struggled to maintain a high strike rate during international matches, often finding it difficult to accelerate his scoring when the team needed it most.
In Test cricket, Raza’s performances were promising but inconsistent. He was recalled for a series against Australia in 2002-03, where he scored half-centuries in both innings, but his slow pace of scoring was noted. His Test career, albeit short, included a top score of 68 and a batting average of around 26.11. In ODIs, his performances were similar, with a top score of 77 and an average of 18.61.
Raza’s domestic cricket career, however, tells a different story. He was a prolific run-scorer in Pakistan’s domestic cricket, amassing impressive statistics including a high average and numerous centuries. His ability to consistently perform in domestic cricket was notable, but his transition to international cricket was less successful, leading to fewer opportunities on the international stage.
His captaincy for Pakistan A in a tournament in Abu Dhabi also highlighted his leadership qualities. Under his captaincy, Pakistan A reached the final and won the tournament, with Raza contributing significantly with the bat.
In summary, Hasan Raza’s playing style was marked by his elegant batting and timing, but he struggled to translate these skills effectively at the international level, despite showing glimpses of his potential in domestic cricket.
Exploring the Personal Side of Hasan Raza
Hasan Raza, born on March 11, 1982, in Karachi, Pakistan, is not only known for his cricketing prowess but also has a personal life that reflects his roots and upbringing in Pakistan. Educated at St. Patrick’s High School in Karachi, he has shown a deep connection to his hometown and country throughout his life and career.
While specific details about his family, including the names of his parents, siblings, and spouse, are not publicly disclosed, it’s clear that his personal life has been kept relatively private. This discretion extends to other aspects of his life, such as his net worth, which hasn’t been openly discussed or documented in public sources.
Raza’s journey, both in his professional and personal life, highlights the experiences of many athletes who gain early fame. His early exposure to international cricket, starting from a young age, set the tone for his career. Despite the challenges he faced in transitioning his domestic success to the international stage, he continued to be a significant figure in Pakistan’s domestic cricket scene, representing teams like Habib Bank Limited and Pakistan Television cricket team.
Overall, Hasan Raza’s life story is one of early success, personal discretion, and continued dedication to cricket, particularly within Pakistan. His journey from a record-setting young debutant to a seasoned domestic player underscores the complexities and challenges faced by professional athletes in balancing public life and personal privacy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hasan Raza’s cricketing journey is a compelling tale of precocious talent, unfulfilled potential, and resilience in the face of challenges. Born on March 11, 1982, in Karachi, Pakistan, Raza catapulted into the limelight as one of the youngest ever to debut in international cricket. His record debut at the age of 14 was a remarkable feat that set high expectations for his future career.
Raza’s international career, spanning from 1996 to 2005, was marked by sporadic success. Despite his exceptional skills and early promise, he struggled to consistently translate his domestic cricket success to the international arena. His time with the Pakistan national cricket team was interspersed with periods away from the international stage, but he remained a prolific run-scorer in Pakistan’s domestic cricket.
His decision to join the Indian Cricket League, an unsanctioned league, reflected his frustration with the official cricketing authorities and indicated a turning point in his career, diminishing his chances of a return to international cricket. This move, coupled with controversies such as match-fixing allegations, added complexity to his career narrative.
Away from the public eye, Raza has kept his personal life private. Educated at St. Patrick’s High School in Karachi, he has maintained a deep connection to his hometown. Details about his family life, including his parents, siblings, and spouse, are not widely known, underscoring his preference for privacy.
Overall, Hasan Raza’s story is one of early brilliance, challenges in scaling the heights of international cricket, and a significant impact in domestic cricket. His career serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.