Schoolboy cricketer Ahmed Raza’s video wows the experts
Ahmed Raza’s batting skills have Sky Sports cricket experts in the UK raving about his “Virat Kohli set-up”. But his talents aren’t confined to the lounge room — he has scored 181 runs without being dismissed for Toorak Prahran at Under 13 level.
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He’s the stylish little left-hander who had cricket commentators raving on the other side of the world.
Raza Saeed sent a video of his 11-year-old son Ahmed to Sky Sports Cricket, hoping to get some feedback on his batting.
It showed him hitting tennis balls thrown by his father in the living room of the family home – and it’s fair to say the experts liked what they saw in Ahmed.
“I think you’ll be impressed by this young man,’’ former England captain Mike Atherton said in introducing a coaching segment.
“Amazing shots, actually. Watch this pull shot coming up. Cut shot. There’s a bit of Andrew Strauss in that cut shot.’’
David Lloyd said: “A Virat Kohli set-up.’’
Ian Ward added: “The other thing that’s nice is that the trigger he’s got already seems repeatable and he’s not blocking himself off at any points and he can access the ball.’’
Lloyd noted that Ahmed played shots off the front and back foot.
It wasn’t the first time the youngster had been in the spotlight: last year a photograph of him was used by Cricket Australia to promote junior registrations.
Ahmed first picked up a bat when he was five – now it looks like it belongs in his hands – and two years later he began playing competitive cricket.
Last season he turned out for three clubs – Toorak-Prahran, Glenroy and Mernda – as he got in his cricket fix.
It meant a lot of driving across Melbourne for his parents, but they’re happy to support his love of cricket.
“He cannot get enough of the game,’’ Mr Saeed said. “He feels it helps with his development. He loves to play cricket every night. He has broken windows and doors during the coronavirus pandemic. The curtains too.’’
Last season Ahmed hit almost 700 runs, and at the age of 10 represented the Diamond Valley in the Under 12 metropolitan-wide Mitchell.
Although playing at Under 13 level for Toorak Prahran he scored 181 runs and was not dismissed.
It’s not just his batting that is earning him glowing notices: he bowls leg-spin, well enough to take the most wickets for his team in the Mitchell Shield, and is also a wicketkeeper.
Next year he’ll attend Rowville Secondary College for its sports academy program, where he will be coached by Victorian great Darren Berry.
Mr Saeed said his son based his technique on Ricky Ponting and his temperament on Steve Smith.
“He tries to be mentally strong like Steve Smith and technically correct like Ricky Ponting,’’ he said.