PCB Denies Reports of Eye Ailment Affecting Young Pacer Ali Raza

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has firmly refuted recent reports alleging that young fast bowler Ali Raza is suffering from an eye disease, dismissing these claims as completely unfounded.

Sources indicate the 17-year-old bowler is in excellent condition with no health problems, emphasizing his availability for selection.

A PCB official stated, “Ali Raza does not have any eye-related illness and is eligible for selection across all formats,”

Initial media reports raised concerns about Raza’s vision, especially under floodlights. However, the player himself has denied these reports, stating that he is not experiencing any health issues.

Raza delivered a noteworthy performance in the most recent Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, representing Peshawar Zalmi.

The promising bowler secured 12 wickets in nine matches, maintaining an average of 25.25 and an economy rate of 9.18, garnering appreciation from both supporters and selectors.

Previously, sources also verified that fast bowlers Naseem Shah, Aamer Jamal, and Ali Raza are not presently included in the PCB’s plans for the forthcoming tours to Bangladesh and the West Indies.

Naseem and Jamal are currently recuperating from injuries and require more time to fully recover.

During a recent selection committee session in Lahore, the panel — featuring former bowler Aaqib Javed, consultant Mike Hesson, and all-rounder Salman Ali Agha — collectively suggested wicketkeeper-batter Rohail Nazir for the upcoming T20I series.

Mike Hesson is anticipated to arrive in Karachi on July 7, before the training camp for the Bangladesh series, commencing on July 10.

While the series is yet to be formally announced, it is likely to encompass three T20Is, as proposed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

Following the Bangladesh tour, Pakistan is scheduled to journey to the United States for a bilateral series against the West Indies, comprising three ODIs and three T20Is in August.

The PCB has suggested transforming the ODI component into T20Is to improve alignment with preparations for the 2025 ACC Men’s Asia Cup and the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

The PCB has completed internal discussions about squad selection and awaits a formal response from Cricket West Indies (CWI) regarding the proposed format alteration.

If approved, a combined T20 squad for both tours will be revealed.

Sources hint that while substantial changes to the squad are improbable, left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem may receive a call-up.

However, the return of key players Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi remains uncertain for the approaching matches.

The official squad announcement is projected shortly after confirmation from the West Indies board.