Ramiz Raja Height, Age, Wife, Family, Biography & More 2024

Some Lesser Known Facts About Ramiz Raja

• Ramiz Raja is a former worldwide cricketer who performed for Pakistan from 1984 to 1997. He was a part of Pakistan’s squad that gained the 1992 ICC World Cup underneath the captaincy of Imran Khan. After retiring, he labored as a cricket commentator for BBC and Ten Sports. On 13 September 2021, he grew to become the thirty sixth Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the second time and the fourth take a look at cricketer to take action after  Ijaz Butt, Javed Burki, and Abdul Hafeez Kardar.
  

  Ramiz Raja together with his commentary crew

• Hours after his choice for the function, Pakistan’s head coach Misbah-Ul-Haq and Bowling coach Waqar Younis submitted their resignations. He performed a key function in hiring Late Bob Woolmer as Pakistan’s head coach who took Pakistan to a historic win within the 2009 ICC T20 World Cup Finals. He can also be credited for the launch of the First National Cricket Academy in Pakistan.
  

  Ramiz Raja as a PCB chairman

• Before rising to fame, Ramiz Raja was as soon as employed in American Express Bank as a Banker after finishing his MBA.

• He performed a vital function in guiding Pakistan to the 1987 World Cup semi-finals and Pakistan’s historic victory within the 1992 World Cup finals the place he took the ultimate catch that gained the crew their first World Cup ever.

• He has an ancestral background in Jaipur, Rajasthan whereas his in-laws are from Delhi and Karnal. Since childhood, he was a vibrant scholar. He comes from a sports activities background the place her father and grandfather had been national-level cricketers whereas his mom was wonderful in Badminton.
  

  Ramiz Raja childhood pic

• He is the youthful brother of Wasim Raja, who performed for Pakistan from 1976 to 1995. Interestingly, each the brothers have performed the identical variety of Test matches for Pakistan (57 Tests). His cousin Atif Raul has additionally represented Pakistan in 1994. Apart from that, his father additionally performed cricket for Multan, in order his nephew Ali Wasim Raja who performed for Surrey Second XI. Following his brother’s footsteps, he began enjoying cricket, at an age of eight. After enjoying for the varsity crew, he quickly began enjoying List-A matches in 1976.
  

  Ramiz Raja throughout his education in 1975

• He hasn’t had the most effective of begins in his International profession when he scored only one run in each the innings of the take a look at match towards England underneath the captaincy of Zaheer Abbas. He missed the second take a look at because of his poor kind however was given an opportunity within the last take a look at match the place he may handle 26 and 0 runs in each innings. Pakistan went on to win the collection 1-0.
  

  Ramiz Raja’s Test Debut

• In February 1985, he bought the prospect to symbolize his aspect in One-day Internationals towards New Zealand throughout the third ODI. Pakistan was given the goal of 265 runs to win. In reply, Pakistan at one second had been 129 for six after dropping the important thing wicket of Zaheer Abbas. In walked Ramiz Raja who held the nerves for Pakistan with 108 runs partnership with Anil Dalpat and took the rating to 237 runs earlier than getting run-out. Pakistan misplaced the match by 13 runs however Ramiz Raja being the highest scorer for the aspect with 75 runs of 76 balls. He was once more spectacular with 59 runs of 83 balls throughout the fourth ODI towards the identical crew. Pakistan misplaced that collection by 3-0.
  

  Pakistani crew earlier than the tour of New Zealand in 1985

• Ramiz Raja then took half within the  Benson & Hedges World Championship of Cricket in 1985 just a few days later, however handle to attain solely 53 runs within the first three ODIs, which Pakistan gained convincingly. Then got here the match towards the Caribbeans the place Pakistan was given the goal of 160 runs. Pakistan misplaced their opening batter Mudassar Nazar cheaply. Ramiz got here one-down. He held a gradual partnership with Mohsin Khan scoring 60 runs and took Pakistan to a straightforward win by seven wickets in 46 overs. Pakistan then defeated India within the finals by eight wickets.

• On 25 October 1985, throughout the Sri Lankan tour of the Pakistan ODI recreation, Sri Lanka scored 228 runs in 38-overs (overs diminished because of rain). In reply, Pakistan misplaced their opening batters in 53 runs. Ramiz together with Javed Miandad held a 77-runs partnership and took Pakistan to a five-wicket win. Ramiz contributed with 56 runs of 56 balls. He once more shined with a bat with 45 runs within the subsequent match. Pakistan gained the ODI collection 4-0.

• Then got here the Test collection the place he bought the prospect to play within the third take a look at match towards the identical aspect. Pakistan gained that match by ten wickets the place Ramiz was the second greater scorer for Pakistan with 52 runs.

• On 17 November 1985, he took half in a Rothmans Sharjah Cup held in Sharjah towards arch-rivals India the place his contribution of 66 runs helped Pakistan to place 203 runs on the board and gained the match by 48 runs. His kind dipped after that the place he couldn’t even handle a fifty for the subsequent few months of his worldwide cricket.

• On 22 March 1986, in a take a look at match towards Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka batting first made cautious progress, scoring 191 runs for 4 on day one. The subsequent day, they might solely add 90 runs to the scorecard. Pakistan in reply, getting out of the early bother, Ramiz led the aspect from 180 for five to 318 runs together with his maiden Test century. The recreation led to a draw.

• In a bilateral collection towards India on 18 February 1987, India scored quickfire 238 runs. In reply, Ramiz Raja held a gradual opening partnership of 106 runs with Younis Ahmed and took Pakistan to a historic win. He was the second-highest scorer for Pakistan in a match scoring 58 runs. Interestingly, this match was held at Eden Gardens in Calcutta (now Kolkata) the place 90,000 spectators got here to see the match.

• A number of days later, Pakistan defeated Australia by eight wickets in One-day the place Ramiz scored 56 runs. During the Pakistan tour of India 1986-87, the primary two take a look at matches led to a draw. It was an opportunity for Ramiz to point out his class after affected by a poor kind. Sawai Mansingh Stadium (Jaipur) was internet hosting the take a look at match for the primary time in February 1987. Pakistan’s President General Zia was within the stadium as a part of his Cricket for Peace mission. Having batted first, India placed on 465 runs. Pakistan however despatched Ramiz Raja and Shoib Mohammad for opening the innings, and Ramiz didn’t disappoint. He scored 114 runs and took his aspect to 341 runs. Later, India whereas batting, an argument befell when the pitch was behaving abnormally because of which, Pakistan claimed that it was as a result of curator sprinkling sawdust on the pitch and Pakistan’s captain finally defused the state of affairs by abandoning play for the day. This time once more, the sport led to a draw.

• He carried his kind ahead in ODIs as properly towards India in a Sharjah Cup just a few days later, the place they restricted India to 183 runs. Pakistan however, with a strong knock of 53 runs by Ramiz surpassed this rating in forty second over.

• Then got here the 1987 World Cup collectively held in India and Pakistan. In the opening recreation itself on 8 October, Pakistan began off in an amazing style with Ramiz scoring 76 runs whereas opening towards Sri Lanka and took the crew’s rating to 267 runs for the lack of six wickets. Sri Lanka however fought laborious and chipped in with 252 runs however misplaced the match. However, he couldn’t do a lot within the subsequent two video games towards England and West Indies, however nonetheless, Pakistan managed a win by a small margin towards each the fierce sides.
  

  Ramiz Raja after getting dismissed towards England in 1987

• In the subsequent recreation, Pakistan secured their place into the semis with a seven-wicket win towards England. Ramiz Raja got here up together with his maiden century in ODI cricket by scoring 113 runs off 148 balls. Though, he was given two simple probabilities by the fielders on his rating of 6 and 62 runs. In the subsequent match, he scored 70 runs, although his aspect misplaced the match towards the mighty West Indians. Pakistan then misplaced the semi-finals towards Australia who went on to win their maiden World Cup title.

• In November 1987, England toured Pakistan and it’s the first time in his profession when he bought out on nervous nineties in One-Day internationals. England placed on 263 runs on the board. In reply, Ramiz fought laborious and took the rating to 240 for 8 till he was dismissed on 99 via “Obstructing the Field” when he was on the lookout for the second run to finish his hundred. Interestingly, it was Ramiz’s hattrick uncommon dismissals towards England.

• From March to October 1988, Ramiz was in his peak kind in ODIs scoring 273 runs off 5 video games. On 10 December 1988 in an ODI match towards West Indies throughout  Benson & Hedges World Series, West Indies scored 269 runs in 47 overs. Ramiz however carried the crew rating to 180 runs earlier than dropping seven wickets. He contributed with 69 runs not out.

• Later, his kind bought dipped for the subsequent few months. It was solely till the tour of New Zealand the place he got here up with a splendid efficiency of the collection with 224 runs off 4 matches. In the third ODI, Ramiz went on to attain his second ODI century and took his aspect to a straightforward victory. Pakistan was all the time on the higher hand throughout the match. New Zealand scored 249 runs. In reply, Ramiz has promoted up the order and scored 101 runs chasing the goal within the forty ninth over. He was adjudged Man of the Match in that recreation.

• In October 1989, Pakistan reached the semis of the Nehru Cup happening within the Indian sub-continent. Their match was towards England. Pakistan was given the goal of 195 runs in 30 overs. Pakistan misplaced their first three wickets inside 69 runs on the board, then Ramiz held the nerves and made a 122 runs partnership with Saleem Malik and took the rating near the goal earlier than Saleem bought out on 66 runs. Pakistan gained the match comprehensively. It was the primary time in his worldwide profession he may obtain a strike fee of greater than 100.

• During India’s tour of Pakistan in November 1989 in exams, Ramiz scored 223 runs in his seven innings and helped the hosts to attract the four-match collection. A number of months later, Ramiz got here up with a rating of 116 and 107 not out towards Sri Lanka in ODIs throughout the Benson & Hedges World Series. In November 1990, New Zealand toured Pakistan the place Ramiz chipped in together with his second-highest rating of 114 in ODIs and took the rating to 223 runs in 40 overs. Against the mighty rating, New Zealand may solely rating 118 runs. He was adjudged Man of the Match in that recreation.

• A number of months later, in October 1991, noticed essentially the most attention-grabbing recreation of cricket throughout that point. Against the rating of 236 runs, West Indies may handle 235 runs and misplaced the sport by one run. Ramiz got here up with 90 runs off 129 balls. One month later, throughout the Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan, within the first take a look at match, Ramiz chipped with 98 runs and helped the aspect to attract the sport. This adopted up with 51 and 63 runs within the subsequent two take a look at matches towards the identical aspect.

• His sixth ODI century got here within the 1992 World Cup when he scored 102 runs however couldn’t stop his aspect from a defeat towards the Carribeans. Pakistan reached the semis and their match was towards the Kiwis. Batting first, Kiwis scored 262 runs within the allotted 50 overs. In reply, Ramiz held a gradual 2nd wicket partnership of 54 runs with captain Imran Khan and chased the goal within the forty ninth over. Ramiz had the dear contribution of 44 runs within the match.
  

  Ramiz Practice session earlier than the 1992 World Cup’s opening recreation

  

  Ramiz Raja strolling with the crew to the MCG stadium for enjoying the 1992 ICC World Cup Finals towards England

• Then got here the finals of the World Cup the place they are going to be going through England. It is the primary time Pakistan has reached the finals of a World Cup. But Ramiz couldn’t do a lot and bought out scoring simply eight runs. It was all in Imran Khan’s hand to take the rating to a comparative complete. England was then given the goal of 250 runs in 50 overs. They scored 108 runs dropping 9 wickets. Then within the fiftieth over, Richard Illingworth performed an aerial shot after giving himself a room. The ball went up within the air. Ramiz was underneath it and took the catch! Pakistan was celebrating as it’s the first World Cup title for them. Ramiz scored 349 runs in that World Cup occasion.

• In February 1992, towards Sri Lanka, Ramiz together with Saeed Anwar had the most effective opening partnership of 204 runs in 34 overs beating their earlier rating towards the identical opponent in 1989. Ramiz Raja chipped in with 109 runs off 115 balls. Sri Lanka however scored simply 167 runs and Pakistan gained the finals comprehensively by 114 runs in a tri-series finals.

• He wasn’t in the most effective of his kind after that. The final century of his ODI profession got here in late 1995 towards West Indies at Sharjah in a Champions Trophy. Pakistan scored 242 runs the place Ramiz was made the captain. He scored 104 runs coming at one-down. In reply, West Indies may solely rating 227 runs and misplaced the match by 15 runs. This was the final century of his worldwide profession. He captained the nationwide aspect from 1992 to 1997 and managed to attain 917 runs in that tenure.

• He performed his final take a look at match in April 1997 towards Sri Lanka the place he scored 36 and 0 within the last inning of his take a look at profession. He was caught by the wicketkeeper Kaluwitharana off the bowling of Chaminda Vaas. The recreation led to a draw. He performed 57 take a look at matches and scored 2833 runs with a mean of 31.83. He scored his most runs towards Sri Lanka. In Asian sub-continents, he averaged 35.08 whereas 1987 was the most effective yr in his take a look at profession the place he scored 520 runs in ten take a look at matches. He performed underneath 4 take a look at captains throughout his total worldwide tenure.

• A number of months later in September, Ramiz got here for the ultimate time in his worldwide profession towards India in Toronto, Canada. His last match ended up with a win. Overall, he performed 198 matches and scored 5841 runs with a mean of 32.09. His most runs had been towards West Indies with 1624 runs. Just like his take a look at profession, in ODIs as properly, he was finest within the Asian sub-continent. He performed underneath seven ODI captains throughout his tenure in worldwide cricket. He scored 69% of his worldwide runs whereas opening the innings in each codecs of cricket. He has a complete rating of 8674 worldwide runs.

• Ramiz Raja has a particular affinity for Rajasthani structure. He was so enamored by the Jaipur’s well-known Rambagh Palace, that he modeled his home on the identical strains. He revealed this in an interview with IANS and additional added

“I told Nayyar Ali Dada to have it designed on the pattern of Rambagh Palace. I got to see the palace from close quarters when the Pakistani team stayed there during a Test match in February 1987.”

• Once throughout a match towards England at WACA in 1987, Ramiz was caught by Bill Athey at mid-wicket off the bowling of Mike Gatting. Ramiz began strolling with out figuring out that the umpire referred to as it a no-ball. Athey threw the ball to the bowler and he eliminated the bails. Following the session, the umpire Tony Crafter has given him out. This incident occurred once more within the 1992 World Cup towards the identical opposition the place Ramiz performed the square-cut off the bowling of Chris Lewis, and Graeme Hick caught him on the level. Ramiz once more began strolling, unknowing the truth that the umpire Steve Bucknor has given it a no-ball. Graeme Hick then threw the ball to the stumps, however fortunately it bought missed!

• His first ODI century got here towards England throughout the 1987 World Cup at Karachi. Pakistan was given the goal of 245 runs. He stood firmly on the crease and took Pakistan to a seven-wicket victory. He adopted it with a back-to-back century in 1988 towards Sri Lanka in Australia.

• Ramiz Raja picks Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Abdul Qadir, Wasim Akram, and Inzamam-Ul-Haq as the most effective Pakistani cricketers of all time.  In 2016, he was made a full-time member of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).
  

  Ramiz Raja as a full-time member of MCC