Raza the big name in low-key squad (2 July 1997)

Wednesday 2 July 1997

Raza the big name in low-key squad

By D J Rutnagur

THE summer`s other touring side to England, Pakistan A, arrived unheralded at the weekend and start their seven-week programme today with a three-day match at Trent Bridge, against Nottinghamshire.

Their itinerary includes nine first-class matches -three of them of four days` duration - and five limited-overs games.

Muhammad Waseem, a 20-year-old batsman who played two Tests against New Zealand last winter, is captain of the 15-strong side. Unlike the A teams of Australia and South Africa who toured in 1995 and 1996, respectively, the one from Pakistan includes no big names.

The player with the highest profile is Hassan Raza, by virtue of his being the youngest Test player, at a reputed 14 years and 227 days. Now 15 years and three months old, Raza has a large repertoire of strokes.

As many as eight of the touring side, of whom two are yet to play a first-class match, are teenagers and the average age is 17. Only the vice-captain, Mujahid Jamshed, a middle- order batsman and off-spin bowler, is over 25.

Counties have tended to field scratch sides against past A teams and it is doubtful if, in mid-season, they will play the Pakistanis at full strength.

Pakistan A: Muhammad Waseem (capt), Mujahid Jamshed (vcapt), Saleem Elahi, Ali Naqvi, Hassan Raza, Farhan Adil, Rana Qayyum Hasan, Javaid Qadeer (wk), Azhar Mahmood, Irfan Fazil, Shoaib Akhtar, Fazl-e-Akbar, Abdul Razaak, Ali Hussain Rizvi, Shoaib Malik.

Itinerary.- July 2: v Notts (Trent Bridge) 3 days; 5: v Derbys (Derby) 3 days; 9: v MCC (Shenley Pk) 3 days; 13: v ECB XI (Walsall) 1 day; 16: v Worcs (Worcester) 3 days; 19: v Somerset (Taunton) 3 days; 22: v Gloucs (Cheltenham) 1 day; 24: v Sussex (Hove) 4 days; 29: v Hants (Southampton) or Glamorgan (Cardiff) 1 day; 31: v Wales (Swansea) 1 day; Aug 1: v Gloucs (Bristol) 4 days; 7: v Yorks (Headingley) 4 days; 12: v Northants (Northampton) or Derbys (Derby) 1 day; 15: v Counties XI (Chelmsford) 4 days.

Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/)