Wasim Raja: the left-handed stroke-maker who shone under pressure

Wasim Raja was one of those Pakistan batsmen whom spectators remembered more for their style than for their figures. According to his obituary published on ESPNcricinfo, he was a superb left-handed stroke-maker who came into his own in difficult situations. He was also a useful leg-spinner and an excellent fielder at cover². His average of 57.43 in 11 Tests against the West Indies is the strongest proof of his ability¹.

Early life and start in cricket

Wasim Hasan Raja was born in Multan on 3 July 1952. He was the eldest of three brothers, all of whom played first-class cricket. Ramiz Raja came into the Test side after him and later became Pakistan captain, while Zaeem Raja played for National Bank. Their father, Raja Salim Akhtar, was also a first-class cricketer and had captained Sargodha².

According to ESPNcricinfo, he made his first-class debut for Lahore at the age of just 15, while still a student at Government College. By 18 he was regarded as a player with exceptional batting talent and captained the Under-19 side. His contemporary Imran Khan acknowledged that Wasim was "in a different class altogether"².

In 1972-73 he was called up as a replacement on the tour of New Zealand². His Test career began in Wellington on 2 February 1973, where he scored 10 and 41¹.

Lord’s, Karachi and the West Indies

According to ESPNcricinfo, on the 1974 tour of England he topped the tour batting averages. Wisden called his two innings against Derek Underwood on a drying pitch at Lord’s "masterly"². In the second innings of that Test, which began on 8 August 1974, he scored 53¹.

The same winter, on 1 March 1975 in Karachi, he scored 107 not out against the West Indies for his first Test century¹. According to ESPNcricinfo, the innings was so fine that a whole crowd, rather than a few spectators, ran onto the field to congratulate him on reaching the hundred².

His bat always did well against the West Indies. On the 1977 tour of the West Indies he scored 517 runs in 5 Tests at an average of 57.44. In the Test that began in Bridgetown on 18 February 1977 he scored 117 not out in the first innings and 71 in the second. He made 65 and 84 in Port of Spain, then 70 at the same ground on 1 April 1977, and 64 in Kingston¹. According to ESPNcricinfo, against bowlers such as Andy Roberts, Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner and Colin Croft, only Greg Chappell had a higher average than his in that period².

Success in India

His record against India was also excellent: 643 runs in 11 Tests at an average of 49.46. On the 1979-80 tour of India he scored 97 and 61 in Delhi on 4 December 1979, 94 not out in Kanpur, 57 in Chennai and 50 not out at Eden Gardens in Calcutta¹. According to ESPNcricinfo, he stood firm in those days when several top-order batsmen crumbled under pressure².

On 24 September 1983 in Jalandhar he made 125, his highest Test score, with 17 fours and 2 sixes. In the same match he took 4 wickets for 50, his best Test bowling. A few months later, on 12 March 1984 in Faisalabad, he scored 112 against England¹.

His last Test began against New Zealand in Auckland on 25 January 1985, and his last one-day international was against India in Melbourne on 10 March 1985. His best one-day bowling figures are 4 wickets for 25 against the West Indies in Adelaide on 5 December 1981¹.

Statistics

Source: ESPNcricinfo Statsguru¹. The figures are for his international career.

Legacy

Wasim Raja played 111 international matches for Pakistan¹. According to ESPNcricinfo, he occasionally opened the bowling for Pakistan, and after retiring he coached the national team for a time. From 2002 to 2004 he was an ICC match referee, officiating in 15 Tests and 34 one-day internationals, including an Ashes series played in Australia. In England he played minor counties cricket for Durham for several years and taught at Caterham School for 15 years².

On 23 August 2006, at the age of 54, he collapsed and died at High Wycombe in England while playing for a Surrey over-50s side. According to ESPNcricinfo, he will always be remembered for the style and spirit with which he played cricket².