Pakistan Under-19 fast bowler Ali Raza has heaped praise on team mentor and manager Sarfaraz Ahmed, crediting his leadership and experience as a key factor behind Pakistan’s historic triumph in the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025.
Speaking in an interview with a private television channel, the 17-year-old pacer highlighted how Sarfaraz’s guidance helped shape a disciplined, confident, and united squad throughout the tournament. According to Raza, the former Pakistan captain played a crucial role in instilling a winning mindset within the young team.
“The entire U19 squad worked extremely hard, and our commitment eventually paid off,” Ali Raza said. “Sarfaraz Ahmed’s leadership and vast experience were instrumental in preparing us mentally for high-pressure matches.”
Raza emphasized that Sarfaraz went beyond the traditional role of a team manager, creating an environment that felt more like a family than a touring side. He explained that this approach helped players stay focused and emotionally balanced during the competition.
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“He never allowed us to feel homesick,” Raza added. “Instead, he created a family-like atmosphere that lifted our spirits and kept everyone motivated throughout the tournament.”
The young fast bowler also expressed gratitude toward the team management for standing by him during a difficult phase in his career, particularly while recovering from injury. He revealed that the unwavering trust shown by the coaching staff played a major role in keeping him motivated.
“There were moments during my injury when I struggled to find the motivation to practice,” he admitted. “But the management continued to believe in me, and that trust pushed me to work harder and stay committed.”
Ali Raza noted that the Pakistan U19 squad focused on daily improvement, learning from every training session and match. He credited the management for encouraging players to give their maximum effort on the field, a philosophy that ultimately led to lifting the prestigious Asia Cup trophy.
The pacer also spoke about sportsmanship, praising arch-rivals India for maintaining professionalism despite the intense rivalry. “In cricket, there are no small or big players—sportsmanship matters most,” he said, acknowledging India’s conduct during the tournament.
When discussing his inspirations, Raza named legendary Pakistani fast bowlers including Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Mohammad Asif, Rana Naved, Mohammad Sami, and Mohammad Amir. He revealed that during the Asia Cup final, he drew inspiration from Amir’s iconic spell in the Champions Trophy.
Ali Raza played a decisive role in the final against India, delivering a match-winning spell of 4 for 42. After Pakistan posted a commanding total of 347 runs, India’s batting lineup collapsed under relentless pressure and was bowled out for 156 in just 26.2 overs, handing Pakistan a resounding 191-run victory.
Alongside Raza’s four-wicket haul, Ahmed Hussain and Huzaifa Ahsan chipped in with two wickets each, completing a memorable triumph for the boys in green and underlining Pakistan’s dominance at the U19 level.
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