For the first time in 17 years, the English cricket team toured Pakistan for a 3 match test series after a emphatic T20 world cup Final against Pakistan in Australia 3 months prior. England, a side in great form were aiming to continue their success after such an excellent summer under their new captain Ben Stokes. The opportunity to seize a rare away series win was in touching distance for the English side and they were looking to bring in a secret weapon for the series.

In recent years, the panel of selectors has been at the centre of attention when results haven’t gone their way, however with a new segregated system between white and red ball cricket and a new captain with pure determination to get England back to the top. Therefore, many were excited to see the inclusion of young Rehan Ahmed, an 18-year-old leg spinner from Leicestershire.

Now every cricket fan knows, the ultimate format of the game is Test cricket. And many were surprised to see a first call up to such a young player with 8 First Class games under his belt. However, during this time, he has shown such promise with bat and ball, scoring his Maiden hundred against Derbyshire and taking 5 wickets in the last round of the 2nd Division of the 2022 County Championship.

England got off to a excellent start in Pakistan as they secured the 1st test victory after smashing a record 506 runs on Day 1. They continued this excellent form into the second test this time with an incredibly narrow victory taking the game and the series with it. This was now the time for young Rehan to step into the light and make his mark.

The 17th of December 2022 will remain in Ahmed’s memory for years to come as the opportunity to play Test cricket is a dream come true. An emotional cap ceremony was there for us to witness as he became the youngest English debutant, kindly presented by Nasser Hussain who made a heartfelt speech acknowledging the sacrifice he and his family have made to get to the top level. But his performance well and truly stood out taking 7 wickets in the match including his first Test 5 wicket haul.

Back in 2017, the late Shane Warne was thoroughly impressed whilst watching Ahmed and stated that he would be keeping an eye on him as Warne identified his talent in the short time they met. And as the cricketing world lost one legend in 2022. 

A new star was born in Karachi!