Rehan Ahmed boosts Ashes hopes with stellar domestic season

Rehan Ahmed created history on his Test debut by becoming the youngest-ever player to claim a five-wicket haul in the format. After that breakthrough, he featured in England’s subsequent subcontinent assignments, including the tour of India.

Despite picking up 22 wickets in five Tests, Ahmed has not been a regular in the squad and was overlooked for the recently concluded home series against India, even after first-choice spinner Shoaib Bashir was sidelined by injury.

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However, the 20-year-old has strengthened his case ahead of the Ashes in Australia with an impressive domestic season for Leicestershire. He amassed 760 runs in 10 matches, including five centuries, and also bagged 23 wickets. showcasing his credentials as a genuine spin-bowling all-rounder.

“I still feel like I’m a bowler who bowls and a batter who can bat,” Ahmed was quoted as saying by Telegraph Sport.

Ahmed expressed confidence in his growing all-round abilities ahead of the five-match Ashes in Australia, starting with the first Test at Perth from November 21.

“I want to be very good at both. Whether that takes me years or happens quickly, I will always be striving to be the best all-rounder I can. I feel that if I occupy the crease long enough, I will always find ways to score. I just had to find a way to stay out there long enough. I am surprised that I’ve kept my head switched on long enough to get five hundreds, but I’m delighted,” he said.

When asked about comparisons to Australia’s Steve Smith, who too began as a leg-spinning all-rounder before becoming one of the game’s batting greats, Ahmed insisted that bowling remained his primary craft.

“I love bowling, too! Whenever I’ve played for England, it’s been as a bowler. I still do think that’s my first skill and I am trying to learn as much as I possibly can.

“Leg-spin is an art that you can never perfect. It’s about working as hard as possible. I want to bowl as much as I possibly can. I enjoy it. I love being part of the game as much as I can. So I just want to get runs and a load of wickets consistently in the same games,” he said.

Looking ahead, Ahmed admitted the Ashes was a dream, though he stressed that the final call lay with the selectors.

“I’ve never been to Australia, never played there. It looks a great place to play, and the Ashes is an incredible occasion. I’d love to be a part of it,” he said.

“I know the management, if they pick me, they back me 100 per cent. If they don’t, it’s because they don’t think I’m the right man for the job there. I have full faith in their judgement.

“If you asked any man on the street if they wanted to play in the Ashes, they’d jump at the chance. If I don’t go, it’ll be a great watch,” he added.