Questions raised over Pakistan pacer Ali Raza's age as he plays fifth Under-19 tournament

Pakistan appear the strongest side at present in the ACC Men's Under-19 Asia Cup. Several players from the previous ICC Under-19 World Cup are in the squad, among them 18-year-old fast bowler Ali Raza.

A fresh debate has broken out on social media over the young pacer. Ali has been playing Under-19 cricket for the past four years, and questions are therefore being raised about the age of the 18-year-old. Known for his penetrative bowling, Raza has been a regular in Pakistan's age-group cricket. He is now facing allegations of age fraud.

According to documents and records, Ali Raza's date of birth is listed as March 18, 2008, with both the PCB and the ICC. On that basis he will be 18 in November 2026. Neither board has registered any case or inquiry against him for age fraud. Even so, social media users continue to question his real age and are mocking him with memes.

Raza has not been confined to junior cricket. He has also shown his ability in the Pakistan Super League and in Pakistan's first-class senior domestic cricket. His lethal pace and accurate line and length have drawn the attention of selectors of Pakistan's senior team.

Raza first gained international recognition after his bowling made waves at the 2024 ICC Under-19 World Cup in South Africa. In that tournament he took nine wickets in just three matches. In the semi-final against Australia he took four wickets for 34 runs. That performance all but assured Pakistan a place in the final.

Ali Raza has taken part in the 2024 Under-19 World Cup, the 2024 and 2025 Under-19 Asia Cups, the 2026 Under-19 World Cup and now the ongoing 2026 Under-19 Asia Cup. He is thus playing in an Under-19 tournament for the fifth time. In a 2024 Asia Cup match he dismissed India's young star Vaibhav Suryavanshi for just 1 run and helped his team win by 43 runs.