Ramiz Raja: Difference between revisions
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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}} |
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}} |
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{{Infobox officeholder |
{{Infobox officeholder |
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| image |
| image = Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ramiz Raja (cropped).jpg |
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| caption = Raja in |
| caption = Raja in 2022 |
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| name = Ramiz Raja<br />{{Nastaliq|رميز راجہ}} |
| name = Ramiz Raja<br />{{Nastaliq|رميز راجہ}} |
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| birth_name = Ramiz Hasan Raja |
| birth_name = Ramiz Hasan Raja |
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| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1962|08|14|df=yes}} |
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1962|08|14|df=yes}} |
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| birth_place = [[Faisalabad]], [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]], Pakistan |
| birth_place = [[Faisalabad]], [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]], Pakistan |
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| height = 5 ft 10 in<ref>[https://www.sportskeeda.com/player/rameez-rajapakis Rameez Raja's profile] on |
| height = 5 ft 10 in<ref>[https://www.sportskeeda.com/player/rameez-rajapakis Rameez Raja's profile] on Sportskeeda</ref> |
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| |
| education = {{Unbulleted_list|[[St. Anthony High School, Lahore]]|[[Sadiq Public School, Bahawalpur]]|[[Aitchison College, Lahore]]}} |
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| alma_mater = [[Government College, Lahore]] |
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| module = {{Infobox cricketer |
| module = {{Infobox cricketer |
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| embed = yes |
| embed = yes |
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| batting = Right-handed |
| batting = Right-handed |
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| bowling = Legbreak |
| bowling = Legbreak |
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| role = [[Batter (cricket)|Batter]] |
| role = [[Batter (cricket)|Batter]] |
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| family |
| family = {{Unbulleted_list|[[Saleem Akhtar]] (father)|[[Wasim Raja]] (brother)|[[Zaeem Raja]] (brother)|[[Atif Rauf]] (cousin)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/672206-cricketing-dynasties-the-twenty-two-families-of-pakistan-test-cricket-part-4|title=Cricketing dynasties of 2 families}}</ref>}} |
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| international = true |
| international = true |
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| internationalspan = 1984–1997 |
| internationalspan = 1984–1997 |
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| best bowling2 = – |
| best bowling2 = – |
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| catches/stumpings2 = 33/0 |
| catches/stumpings2 = 33/0 |
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|medaltemplates=<!--MENTION HOST NATIONS FOR TEAM SPORTS--> |
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{{MedalSport|Men's [[Cricket]]}} |
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{{MedalCountry|{{PAK}}}} |
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{{MedalCompetition|[[ICC Cricket World Cup]]}} |
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{{Medal|W|[[1992 Cricket World Cup|1992 Australia and New Zealand]]|}} |
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| date = 31 January |
| date = 31 January |
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| year = 2006 |
| year = 2006 |
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| source = http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/42420.html ESPNcricinfo |
| source = http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/42420.html ESPNcricinfo |
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}} |
}} |
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| office = 35th [[Chairman]] of [[Pakistan Cricket Board]] |
| office = 35th [[Chairman]] of [[Pakistan Cricket Board]] |
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| office1 = |
| office1 = |
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| website = |
| website = |
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| termstart = 13 September 2021 |
| termstart = 13 September 2021 |
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| termend = 21 December 2022 |
| termend = 21 December 2022 |
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| appointer = [[Imran Khan]] |
| appointer = [[Imran Khan]] |
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| president = [[Arif Alvi]] |
| president = [[Arif Alvi]] |
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| primeminister = [[Imran Khan]]<br /> [[Shehbaz Sharif]] |
| primeminister = [[Imran Khan]]<br /> [[Shehbaz Sharif]] |
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| predecessor = [[Ehsan Mani]] |
| predecessor = [[Ehsan Mani]] |
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| successor = [[Najam Sethi]] |
| successor = [[Najam Sethi]] |
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| occupation = Former Pakistani [[cricketer]] |
| occupation = Former Pakistani [[cricketer]] |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Ramiz Hasan Raja''' ({{lang-ur|{{Nastaliq|رمیز حسن راجہ}}}}; born 14 August 1962) is a Pakistani cricket |
'''Ramiz Hasan Raja''' ({{lang-ur|{{Nastaliq|رمیز حسن راجہ}}}}; born 14 August 1962) is a Pakistani cricket [[Sports commentator|commentator]], YouTuber, and former [[cricket]]er who served as the Chairman of the [[Pakistan Cricket Board]] in 2021-2022.<ref name=":1">{{cite web | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/pakistan-cricket-board-chairman-ramiz-raja-sacked-najam-sethi-2311859-2022-12-21 | title=Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja sacked, Najam Sethi to take over PCB top job }}</ref> He was a part of the Pakistani squad which won the [[1992 Cricket World Cup]]. |
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As a player, Raja represented [[Pakistan cricket team|Pakistan]] (sporadically as a captain) during the 1980s and the 1990s. |
As a player, Raja represented [[Pakistan cricket team|Pakistan]] (sporadically as a captain) during the 1980s and the 1990s. |
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He also talks about cricket on his [[YouTube]] channel ''Ramiz Speaks''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ramiz Raja formally elected as PCBchairman|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ramiz-raja-formally-elected-as-pcb-chairman-1277719|access-date=13 September 2021|website=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Dawn.com|date=13 September 2021|title=Ramiz Raja elected new PCB chairman 'unanimously and unopposed'|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1646154|access-date=13 September 2021|website=DAWN.COM|language=en}}</ref> |
He also talks about cricket on his [[YouTube]] channel ''Ramiz Speaks''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ramiz Raja formally elected as PCBchairman|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ramiz-raja-formally-elected-as-pcb-chairman-1277719|access-date=13 September 2021|website=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Dawn.com|date=13 September 2021|title=Ramiz Raja elected new PCB chairman 'unanimously and unopposed'|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1646154|access-date=13 September 2021|website=DAWN.COM|language=en}}</ref> |
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==Early |
== Early and personal life == |
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Raja was born in [[Punjabi people|Punjabi]] [[Muslim Rajput]] family of [[Janjua]] [[clan]]. His parents had migrated from the Indian city of [[Jaipur]], [[Rajasthan]] during [[Partition of India]], while on his wife's side, his mother-in-law is from [[Delhi]] and his father-in-law is from [[Karnal]], [[Haryana]].<ref>[https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/inzamam-ul-haq/203599 Inzamam-ul-Haq], 28 May 1997, ''[[Outlook India]]''. Retrieved 1 September 2018.</ref> |
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=== Family background === |
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⚫ | An admirer of [[Architecture of Rajasthan|Rajasthani architecture]], he |
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Raja was born on 14 August 1962 in [[Faisalabad]], [[Punjab, Pakistan]]. |
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His family roots lie in [[Jaipur]], [[Rajasthan|Rajasthan, India]].<ref name=":2" /> |
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⚫ | His father [[Saleem Akhtar]] was a cricketer during the British colonial era who played for [[Multan cricket team|Multan]] and [[Sargodha cricket team|Sargodha]] after the partition, while his brother [[Wasim Raja]] and |
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⚫ | His father [[Saleem Akhtar]] was a cricketer during the British colonial era who played for [[Multan cricket team|Multan]] and [[Sargodha cricket team|Sargodha]] after the partition, while his brother [[Wasim Raja]] and cousin [[Atif Rauf]] played for the [[Pakistan national cricket team]], with another brother [[Zaeem Raja]] having played first-class cricket as well. |
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=== Education === |
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Raja is an alumnus of [[Sadiq Public School]], [[Bahawalpur]], [[Aitchison College, Lahore]] and [[Government College University, Lahore]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=GC University Lahore produces five prime ministers of country: grand celebration to mark 148th birthday – Business Recorder|url=https://fp.brecorder.com/2012/01/201201021138946/|access-date=16 January 2022|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=1 January 2014|title=Happy Birthday GCU|url=https://nation.com.pk/01-Jan-2014/happy-birthday-gcu|access-date=16 January 2022|website=The Nation|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Board Of Governors {{!}} Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Official Website|url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/board-of-governors.html|access-date=16 January 2022|website=www.pcb.com.pk|language=en-US}}</ref> |
Raja is an alumnus of [[Sadiq Public School]], [[Bahawalpur]], [[Aitchison College, Lahore]] and [[Government College University, Lahore]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=GC University Lahore produces five prime ministers of country: grand celebration to mark 148th birthday – Business Recorder|url=https://fp.brecorder.com/2012/01/201201021138946/|access-date=16 January 2022|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=1 January 2014|title=Happy Birthday GCU|url=https://nation.com.pk/01-Jan-2014/happy-birthday-gcu|access-date=16 January 2022|website=The Nation|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Board Of Governors {{!}} Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Official Website|url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/board-of-governors.html|access-date=16 January 2022|website=www.pcb.com.pk|language=en-US}}</ref> |
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=== Marriage === |
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Raja is married. His wife's parents had roots in British India; his mother-in-law hailed from [[Delhi]] and his father-in-law from [[Karnal]], [[Haryana]].<ref name=":2">[https://web.archive.org/web/20240613152338/https://www.outlookindia.com/national/inzamam-ul-haq-news-203599 Inzamam-ul-Haq], 28 May 1997, ''[[Outlook India]]''. Archived from the [https://www.outlookindia.com/national/inzamam-ul-haq-news-203599 original] on 13 June 2024. "His captain ''Rameez Raja,'' too, wanted to visit his inlaws' relatives in Kamal, his own folks in Jaipur. "I'm from Lahore. My mother-in-law is from Delhi, my father-in-law from Karnal. Don't know about the wife. I've hopefully picked up some of Delhi's famous ''tehzeeb'' (courtesy) from her," he says, smiling shyly."</ref> |
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=== Rajasthani architecture === |
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⚫ | An admirer of [[Architecture of Rajasthan|Rajasthani architecture]], he asked Pakistani architect [[Nayyar Ali Dada]] to design his Lahore house on the pattern of Jaipur's [[Rambagh Palace]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 November 2007|title=Rameez builds his own Rajasthani palace|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/rameez-builds-his-own-rajasthani-palace/story-UXqhKFHOCRuKpuMQGwQncO.html|access-date=21 September 2022|website=[[Hindustan Times]]|language=en}}</ref> |
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==Domestic career== |
==Domestic career== |
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Raja made his [[first-class cricket]] debut in 1978, scoring over 9,000 runs in List A and 10,000 runs in first class matches. He made his Test debut against England in 1984 and ODI debut against New Zealand in 1985. Raja was regarded as one of the prominent batters playing in Pakistan's domestic cricket.<ref name="The Hindu">{{Cite news|agency=PTI|date=9 December 2011|title=Pakistan lauds 'King of Entertainment' Sehwag|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/pakistan-lauds-king-of-entertainment-sehwag/article2701377.ece|access-date=23 September 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> |
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==International career== |
==International career== |
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===Golden years=== |
===Golden years=== |
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When he got his first opportunity to play in a [[Test cricket|Test match]], against [[England cricket team|England]], Raja's performance was unimpressive, as he was dismissed for 1 run in each [[innings]]. However, with the retirement of several players in the Pakistan squad and with the help of his years of experience in [[first-class cricket]], Raja was able to secure a spot in the national side.<ref>{{Cite news|agency=PTI|date=28 June 2012|title=Rameez Raja launches attack on Mohsin Khan|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/rameez-raja-launches-attack-on-mohsin-khan/article3581592.ece|access-date=23 September 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> |
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He played international [[cricket]] for 13 years, appearing in 57 Test matches, with a career average of 31.83 and scoring two centuries. In the [[One Day International]] arena, he played 198 matches and scored 9 centuries.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ramiz Raja batting bowling stats, averages and cricket statistics, 2022|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/player/ramiz-raja-42420/bowling-batting-stats|access-date=2022-01-26|website=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref> He was a member of the national side that reached the semi-finals of the [[1987 Cricket World Cup|1987 World Cup]]. He scored 2 centuries in the [[1992 Cricket World Cup|1992 World Cup]], which was held in Australia, including a century against [[New Zealand cricket team|New Zealand]], who had been undefeated during that period. He was awarded the man of the match for his match winning performance which earned Pakistan a place in the semi-finals of the tournament. In [[1992 Cricket World Cup Final|the final]] against England, Raja had the honour of taking the final catch which won the [[Cricket World Cup|World Cup]] for Pakistan. This became the pinnacle of his cricketing career, as within a year of this triumph, he had lost form and was dropped from the national side.<ref name="The Hindu"/><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Rameez Raja Profile - Cricket Player,Pakistan{{!}}Rameez Raja Stats, Ranking, Records inCricket -NDTV Sports|url=https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/players/41527-rameez-raja-playerprofile|access-date=23 September 2020|website=NDTVSports.com|language=en}}</ref> |
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=== Obstructing the field === |
=== Obstructing the field === |
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Raja became the first player in [[One Day International]] history to be given out "[[obstructing the field]]" [[English cricket team in Pakistan in 1987–88|against England]], in a match at [[Karachi]] in 1987. England had scored 263 runs for 6 wickets during their 44 over innings.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of England vs Pakistan 2nd ODI 1987/88 - Score Report {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-pakistan-1987-88-61761/pakistan-vs-england-2nd-odi-64311/full-scorecard|access-date=2022-01-26|website=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref> For Pakistan, Raja opened the batting and had reached 98 runs when the last ball of the match was bowled, with Pakistan needing 25 runs to win in the last over. During this last over, he hit the ball and sprinted for two runs that would have given him his century, but was well short of the crease when the fielder's return came towards him and Raja knocked the ball away with his bat and was given out for "obstructing the field".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153517.html | title=Pakistan v England 1987-88: Second One-day International| publisher= [[ESPN Cricinfo]]| work=[[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack|Wisden]] 1989 | access-date=20 December 2017}}</ref> |
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===Late career=== |
===Late career=== |
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He was recalled |
He was recalled to the Pakistan squad and played in the [[1996 Cricket World Cup]]. During the 1995–1996 season, he was removed from the captaincy, after Pakistan lost their first home series to [[Sri Lanka national cricket team|Sri Lanka]]. His final game in a Test match for Pakistan was as captain in the [[Pakistani cricket team in Sri Lanka in 1996–97|1996–1997 tour of Sri Lanka]], however the team failed to win a match during the series. He retired from all forms of cricket in 1997 and since then he has been active as a television [[Sports commentator|commentator]] and analyst as an administrator for both Pakistan and international cricket.<ref>{{Cite web|date=14 August 2014|title=11 things you need to know about Rameez Raja|url=https://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/11-things-you-need-to-know-about-rameez-raja-171136|access-date=23 September 2020|website=Cricket Country|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> |
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== Post-retirement == |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
[[File:Pakistan Super League PSLt24 Cricket Ramiz Raja (cropped).png|thumb|Raja in 2015]] |
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Raja has worked as a commentator on ''[[Test Match Special]]'' and [[Sky Sports]], during the [[Pakistani cricket team in England in 2006|2006 England Test series against Pakistan]]. He has also worked as the chief executive of the [[Pakistan Cricket Board]], but resigned from his job in August 2004, citing increasing media commitments. He continues to provide commentary on Pakistan cricket team's tours as well as in many domestic tournaments and international ICC tournaments.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Editorial|date=1 May 2015|title=Rameez Raja's nine hilarious commentary moments|url=https://www.india.com/sports/rameez-rajas-nine-hilarious-commentary-moments-369572/|access-date=23 September 2020|website=India News, Breaking News, Entertainment News {{!}} India.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Mustafi|first=Suvajit|date=30 April 2015|title=Rameez Raja's nine hilarious commentary moments|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/sports/report-rameez-raja-s-nine-hilarious-commentary-moments-2081948|access-date=23 September 2020|website=DNA India|language=en}}</ref> |
Raja has worked as a commentator on ''[[Test Match Special]]'' and [[Sky Sports]], during the [[Pakistani cricket team in England in 2006|2006 England Test series against Pakistan]]. He has also worked as the chief executive of the [[Pakistan Cricket Board]], but resigned from his job in August 2004, citing increasing media commitments. He continues to provide commentary on Pakistan cricket team's tours as well as in many domestic tournaments and international ICC tournaments.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Editorial|date=1 May 2015|title=Rameez Raja's nine hilarious commentary moments|url=https://www.india.com/sports/rameez-rajas-nine-hilarious-commentary-moments-369572/|access-date=23 September 2020|website=India News, Breaking News, Entertainment News {{!}} India.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Mustafi|first=Suvajit|date=30 April 2015|title=Rameez Raja's nine hilarious commentary moments|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/sports/report-rameez-raja-s-nine-hilarious-commentary-moments-2081948|access-date=23 September 2020|website=DNA India|language=en}}</ref> |
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=== Cricket administration === |
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Raja served as the 35th Chairman of the [[Pakistan Cricket Board]] between September 2021 and December 2022.<ref name=":1" /> |
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=== Hosting === |
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In 2024, Raja launched ''Showtime With Ramiz Raja'' on Suno News, a late-night entertainment show where he interviews celebrities. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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{{Pakistan Squad 1987 Cricket World Cup}} |
{{Pakistan Squad 1987 Cricket World Cup}} |
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[[Category:Pakistan Test cricket captains]] |
[[Category:Pakistan Test cricket captains]] |
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[[Category:Pakistani cricket captains]] |
[[Category:Pakistani cricket captains]] |
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[[Category:Muhajir people]] |
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[[Category:Pakistani people of Rajasthani descent]] |
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[[Category:Cricketers at the 1987 Cricket World Cup]] |
[[Category:Cricketers at the 1987 Cricket World Cup]] |
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[[Category:Cricketers at the 1992 Cricket World Cup]] |
[[Category:Cricketers at the 1992 Cricket World Cup]] |
Revision as of 15:36, 13 June 2024
Ramiz Raja رميز راجہ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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35th Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In office 13 September 2021 – 21 December 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Appointed by | Imran Khan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
President | Arif Alvi | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prime Minister | Imran Khan Shehbaz Sharif | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preceded by | Ehsan Mani | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Succeeded by | Najam Sethi | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal details | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | Ramiz Hasan Raja 14 August 1962 Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Education | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alma mater | Government College, Lahore | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Occupation | Former Pakistani cricketer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Batting | Right-handed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bowling | Legbreak | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Role | Batter | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Relations |
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International information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
National side |
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Test debut (cap 99) | 2 March 1984 v England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Test | 26 April 1997 v Sri Lanka | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ODI debut (cap 56) | 6 February 1985 v New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last ODI | 21 September 1997 v India | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Career statistics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Source: ESPNcricinfo, 31 January 2006 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ramiz Hasan Raja (Template:Lang-ur; born 14 August 1962) is a Pakistani cricket commentator, YouTuber, and former cricketer who served as the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board in 2021-2022.[3] He was a part of the Pakistani squad which won the 1992 Cricket World Cup.
As a player, Raja represented Pakistan (sporadically as a captain) during the 1980s and the 1990s.
He also talks about cricket on his YouTube channel Ramiz Speaks.[4][5]
Early and personal life
Family background
Raja was born on 14 August 1962 in Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.
His family roots lie in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.[6]
His father Saleem Akhtar was a cricketer during the British colonial era who played for Multan and Sargodha after the partition, while his brother Wasim Raja and cousin Atif Rauf played for the Pakistan national cricket team, with another brother Zaeem Raja having played first-class cricket as well.
Education
Raja is an alumnus of Sadiq Public School, Bahawalpur, Aitchison College, Lahore and Government College University, Lahore.[7][8][9]
Marriage
Raja is married. His wife's parents had roots in British India; his mother-in-law hailed from Delhi and his father-in-law from Karnal, Haryana.[6]
Rajasthani architecture
An admirer of Rajasthani architecture, he asked Pakistani architect Nayyar Ali Dada to design his Lahore house on the pattern of Jaipur's Rambagh Palace.[10]
Domestic career
Raja made his first-class cricket debut in 1978, scoring over 9,000 runs in List A and 10,000 runs in first class matches. He made his Test debut against England in 1984 and ODI debut against New Zealand in 1985. Raja was regarded as one of the prominent batters playing in Pakistan's domestic cricket.[11]
International career
Golden years
When he got his first opportunity to play in a Test match, against England, Raja's performance was unimpressive, as he was dismissed for 1 run in each innings. However, with the retirement of several players in the Pakistan squad and with the help of his years of experience in first-class cricket, Raja was able to secure a spot in the national side.[12]
He played international cricket for 13 years, appearing in 57 Test matches, with a career average of 31.83 and scoring two centuries. In the One Day International arena, he played 198 matches and scored 9 centuries.[13] He was a member of the national side that reached the semi-finals of the 1987 World Cup. He scored 2 centuries in the 1992 World Cup, which was held in Australia, including a century against New Zealand, who had been undefeated during that period. He was awarded the man of the match for his match winning performance which earned Pakistan a place in the semi-finals of the tournament. In the final against England, Raja had the honour of taking the final catch which won the World Cup for Pakistan. This became the pinnacle of his cricketing career, as within a year of this triumph, he had lost form and was dropped from the national side.[11][14]
Obstructing the field
Raja became the first player in One Day International history to be given out "obstructing the field" against England, in a match at Karachi in 1987. England had scored 263 runs for 6 wickets during their 44 over innings.[15] For Pakistan, Raja opened the batting and had reached 98 runs when the last ball of the match was bowled, with Pakistan needing 25 runs to win in the last over. During this last over, he hit the ball and sprinted for two runs that would have given him his century, but was well short of the crease when the fielder's return came towards him and Raja knocked the ball away with his bat and was given out for "obstructing the field".[16]
Late career
He was recalled to the Pakistan squad and played in the 1996 Cricket World Cup. During the 1995–1996 season, he was removed from the captaincy, after Pakistan lost their first home series to Sri Lanka. His final game in a Test match for Pakistan was as captain in the 1996–1997 tour of Sri Lanka, however the team failed to win a match during the series. He retired from all forms of cricket in 1997 and since then he has been active as a television commentator and analyst as an administrator for both Pakistan and international cricket.[17][14]
Post-retirement
Commentary career
Raja has worked as a commentator on Test Match Special and Sky Sports, during the 2006 England Test series against Pakistan. He has also worked as the chief executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board, but resigned from his job in August 2004, citing increasing media commitments. He continues to provide commentary on Pakistan cricket team's tours as well as in many domestic tournaments and international ICC tournaments.[18][19]
Cricket administration
Raja served as the 35th Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board between September 2021 and December 2022.[3]
Hosting
In 2024, Raja launched Showtime With Ramiz Raja on Suno News, a late-night entertainment show where he interviews celebrities.
See also
References
- ^ Rameez Raja's profile on Sportskeeda
- ^ "Cricketing dynasties of 2 families".
- ^ a b "Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja sacked, Najam Sethi to take over PCB top job".
- ^ "Ramiz Raja formally elected as PCBchairman". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
- ^ Dawn.com (13 September 2021). "Ramiz Raja elected new PCB chairman 'unanimously and unopposed'". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
- ^ a b Inzamam-ul-Haq, 28 May 1997, Outlook India. Archived from the original on 13 June 2024. "His captain Rameez Raja, too, wanted to visit his inlaws' relatives in Kamal, his own folks in Jaipur. "I'm from Lahore. My mother-in-law is from Delhi, my father-in-law from Karnal. Don't know about the wife. I've hopefully picked up some of Delhi's famous tehzeeb (courtesy) from her," he says, smiling shyly."
- ^ "GC University Lahore produces five prime ministers of country: grand celebration to mark 148th birthday – Business Recorder". Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ "Happy Birthday GCU". The Nation. 1 January 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ "Board Of Governors | Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Official Website". www.pcb.com.pk. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ "Rameez builds his own Rajasthani palace". Hindustan Times. 19 November 2007. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
- ^ a b "Pakistan lauds 'King of Entertainment' Sehwag". The Hindu. PTI. 9 December 2011. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
- ^ "Rameez Raja launches attack on Mohsin Khan". The Hindu. PTI. 28 June 2012. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
- ^ "Ramiz Raja batting bowling stats, averages and cricket statistics, 2022". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Rameez Raja Profile - Cricket Player,Pakistan|Rameez Raja Stats, Ranking, Records inCricket -NDTV Sports". NDTVSports.com. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
- ^ "Full Scorecard of England vs Pakistan 2nd ODI 1987/88 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
- ^ "Pakistan v England 1987-88: Second One-day International". Wisden 1989. ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
- ^ "11 things you need to know about Rameez Raja". Cricket Country. 14 August 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
- ^ Editorial (1 May 2015). "Rameez Raja's nine hilarious commentary moments". India News, Breaking News, Entertainment News | India.com. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
- ^ Mustafi, Suvajit (30 April 2015). "Rameez Raja's nine hilarious commentary moments". DNA India. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
External links
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