Akif Raja
CountryUnited Arab Emirates
FullnameRaja Akifullah Khan
Birth date24 November 1992 (age 33)
Birth placeLahore, Punjab, Pakistan
BattingLeft-handed
BowlingRight-arm medium-fast
RoleBatsman
Internationaltrue
Odidebutdate6 February
Odidebutyear2022
OdidebutagainstOman
Odicap90
Lastodidate4 June
Lastodiyear2022
LastodiagainstUSA
T20idebutdate8 October
T20idebutyear2021
T20idebutagainstIreland
T20icap57
Lastt20idate21 May
Lastt20iyear2025
Lastt20iagainstBangladesh
Columns2
Column 1ODI
Matches 15
Runs 10
Bat avg 10.00
100s/50s 10/0
Top score 10
Deliveries 1228
Wickets 13
Bowl avg 153.33
Fivefor 10
Tenfor 10
Best bowling 11/19
Catches/stumpings 12/-
Column 2T20I
Matches 219
Runs 274
Bat avg 237.00
100s/50s 20/0
Top score 228
Deliveries 2324
Wickets 215
Bowl avg 230.27
Fivefor 20
Tenfor 20
Best bowling 23/22
Catches/stumpings 22/–
Date11 July 2025
Sourcehttp://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/681067.html Cricinfo

Akif Raja (born 24 November 1992) is a Pakistani-born cricketer who plays for the United Arab Emirates national cricket team.[1] He played in one first-class match for Lahore Shalimar in January 2014 in the 2013–14 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in Pakistan.[2][3]

In October 2021, he was named in the UAE's Twenty20 International (T20I) squad for the 2021 Summer T20 Bash tournament.[4] He made his T20I debut on 8 October 2021, for the UAE against Ireland.[5] In November 2021, he was named in the UAE's One Day International (ODI) squad for the 2021 Namibia Tri-Nation Series.[6]

In February 2022, Raja was named in the UAE's ODI squad for their series against Oman.[7] He made his ODI debut on 6 February 2022, for the UAE against Oman.[8]

Personal life

Raja was born on 24 November 1992 in Lahore, Pakistan. He is the son of Nasreen Akhtar and Raja Arif Ullah Khan; his father died of COVID-19. He moved to the UAE in 2017, initially working with NMC Health in Abu Dhabi and later with MGM Medical Center in Sharjah.[9]

References

  1. ^ "Akif Raja". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  2. ^ "Akif Raja". Pakistan Cricket. Archived from the original on 8 October 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  3. ^ "Super Eight Group B, Lahore, Jan 10 - 13 2014, Quaid-e-Azam Trophy". Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  4. ^ "United Arab Emirates vs Namibia, 1st T20I Match Details, Prediction, Team Squad". Sports Unfold. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  5. ^ "2nd T20I, ICCA Dubai, Oct 8 2021, Ireland tour of United Arab Emirates". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  6. ^ "Emirates Cricket Board announce team to compete in ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 in Namibia". Emirates Cricket Board. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  7. ^ "ECB Announce teams that will represent the UAE ahead of intense 3-series campaign in Oman". Emirates Cricket Board. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  8. ^ "58th Match, Al Amerat, Feb 6 2022, ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  9. ^ Radley, Paul (14 January 2023). "ILT20: Akif Raja looks to make UAE and his mother proud after stellar start". The National