Wasim Raja

Wasim Hasan Raja was a Pakistani cricketer, schoolteacher, and match referee who represented his country in 57 Test matches and 54 One Day Internationals. He played for the Pakistan national team between 1973 and 1985. Known for his dashing left-handed batting, he remained a prominent figure in cricket through his coaching and officiating roles.

Early life and education

Wasim Raja was born in Multan, Punjab, on 3 July 1952. His father, Raja Saleem Akhtar, served as a high-ranking civil servant. Raja attended Government College, Lahore, where he earned a master's degree in political science. During his youth, he demonstrated significant talent by serving as the captain of the Pakistan Under-19 side.

He made his first-class debut for Lahore Green in 1967 at the age of 15. While his early batting was described as inconsistent, he provided useful bowling during this period. His major breakthrough occurred during the 1970–71 Pakistan U-19 Championship. He captained Lahore to success with a score of 126 against Sargodha and took six wickets against Karachi in the West Zone final.

Career

Raja achieved his first first-class century during the 1971–72 season. He scored 151 runs for Punjab University in the Punjab Governor’s Gold Cup final against Rawalpindi. This performance included seven wickets, which helped secure an innings win. After scoring 117 runs and taking ten wickets for Pakistan Universities in December 1972, he joined the national squad for a tour of New Zealand.

He made his Test debut at the Basin Reserve in February 1973. During the 1976–77 tour of the West Indies, Raja reached the peak of his international career. He topped the Pakistani batting averages with 517 runs at an average of 57.4. He also recorded 14 sixes during that Test series—a record that remains the only instance achieved away from home.

As a batsman, he was characterized by a flamboyant backlift and wristy execution. He played 250 first-class matches and scored 11,434 runs at an average of 35.18. His bowling included 558 first-class wickets and 51 Test wickets. He successfully dismissed notable players such as Viv Richards and Clive Lloyd.

Following his retirement from playing, Raja transitioned into teaching and officiating. He served as an International Cricket Council match referee for 15 Tests and 34 ODIs between 2002 and 2004. He also worked as a coach for the Pakistan Under-19 team.

Personal life

Raja moved to London after marrying an Englishwoman named Ann. In 1989, he studied for a PGCE at Durham University and played for their cricket team. He later worked as a teacher of mathematics, geography, and physical education at Caterham School in Surrey. From 2004 to 2006, he held a position as a cricket teacher at Haslemere Preparatory School.

His family had deep ties to the sport. His younger brother, Ramiz Raja, captained the Pakistan national side, while his other brother, Zaeem Raja, played first-class cricket. His father also participated in first-class matches. Raja died of a heart attack in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, on 23 August 2006, while playing cricket for the Surrey over-50s side. He is survived by his wife, Ann, and his two sons, Ali and Ahmad.