Rehan Ahmed is set to become England’s youngster EVER Test cricketer aged 18 years and 126 days in series finale against Pakistan – but Ben Stokes insists fans must not get ‘carried away’ over leg-spinner
- England will make Rehan Ahmed their youngest Test cricketer on Friday
- They are seeking a whitewash in the third and final match against Pakistan
- Ahmed, at 18 years and 126 days, will beat the record set by Brian Close
England will make Rehan Ahmed their youngest Test cricketer on Friday as they seek a whitewash in the third and final match against Pakistan in Karachi.
Leicestershire leg-spinner Ahmed, at 18 years and 126 days, will beat the record set by Brian Close in 1949 by 23 days. Ahmed only made his first-class debut in May and has played just three matches for his county.
‘He just loves cricket,’ said England captain Ben Stokes. ‘I’m struggling to work out if he is a batter or a leg-spinner, which is good because it shows how much talent he has got.
England will make Rehan Ahmed (above) their youngest Test cricketer on Friday
‘When we spoke about adding Rehan to the squad, it was more than just integrating him. We had no issues with selecting him if we felt it was the right option.
‘If he plays, I don’t think it is a case of giving caps away. Having a wrist-spinner is always exciting, especially for England, but it is about not getting too carried away with his potential. You have still got to nurture talent, however exciting it is.’
Ahmed will likely replace Will Jacks as the only change for England, seeking to become the first touring team to complete a 3-0 clean sweep in Pakistan.
Ben Stokes (above) said having a wrist-spinner is always exciting, especially for England
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