Wasim Raja

Wasim Raja Biography

Wasim Raja was a left-handed batsman and a leg spinner of Pakistan team.

Born in July, 1952, Wasim had played 100 international matches for Pakistan and was a gem for the team.

Background

Wasim wasn't unfamiliar with cricket, as he belonged to a family with such background. His father Raja Saleem Akhtar also played first-class cricket and captained Sargodha.

At the age of 15, Raja made his first class debut for Lahore when he still was in school and it was only in 1972 that he made his international debut.

Debut

Wasim made his test debut in 1972-73 against New Zealand

Rise to glory

1975 was the turning point in his career wherein after a successful test series performance against England, in the same year he scored his maiden Test century against West Indies at Karachi.

In 1981 ODI match against West Indies, Wasim scored 149 runs and helped his team a great deal by turning the match in their favor, for which, he was named the Man of the match.

Low points

He met with an accident in 1990 while he was in Durham playing Minor Counties cricket, this nearly ended his life. He soon recovered and made his way back, helping Durham win the UAU championship with a match winning 50 in the final.

Club career

Wasim has played for Durham in 1990, and for other domestic teams like Lahore and Punjab University, Sargodha early in his career.

Record

Wasim holds record of hitting most sixes in a Test Series.

Retirement

Wasim retired from cricket in 1997 after which he settled in England and became a professor of English.

Apart from being an exceptional player of his team, he was a coach for Pakistan U19 team in 1999 and an ICC match referee in 15 Tests and 34 ODIs from 2002- 2004.