Follow Us on Google News
Rehan Ahmed could become England’s youngest men’s Test cricketer after Leicestershire’s teenage leg‑spinner was added to the squad for the tour of Pakistan next month.
Rehan, who featured in Bahawalpur Royals in Pakistan Junior league inaugural season, has got a wild card entry to England’s squad for the all-important ICC Test Championship tour.
If selected during the three-match series that begins in Rawalpindi on first December, Ahmed, aged 18 years and 102 days, would beat the record held by Brian Close (18 years and 149 days against New Zealand in 1949) and become his county’s first England player since James Taylor in 2011.
The call-up was announced after day one of England’s three‑day warm‑up against the Lions in Abu Dhabi, with Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, captain and head coach respectively, undeterred by Ahmed’s figures of eight overs, none for 73 as the senior players racked up a dizzying 501 for seven from 79 overs.
“We know he’s not the finished article and has raw potential,” said McCullum, who broke the news to Ahmed at tea. “But Ben, myself and the rest of the coaches like how he approaches his game. The experience of being part of the squad in Pakistan will be hugely beneficial for him, and he will add to the makeup of our squad.”
Ahmed has unquestionably been selected on potential, having played three first-class matches. His summer ended in encouraging fashion, at least, recording a maiden first-class century (122 from 113 balls) and a five-wicket haul (five for 114 from 28.2 overs) in a draw against Derbyshire at Grace Road.
Rehan Ahmad is Pakistani origin and before getting Briton nationality he has played for Bahwalpur Royals.
