Remember the name – Rehan Ahmed, an 18-year-old English Leg spinner who is in line to become the next great English leg-spinner and continue the legacy of veteran Adil Rashid. Rehan Ahmed on Monday wrote history in English cricket as he became the youngest player ever to feature in ODIs for the Three Lions in almost 3 decades.
During England’s 50-run loss against Bangladesh in the final ODI of the 3-match ODI series at the Zahur Ahmed Chaudhary Stadium, Rehan Ahmed achieved this feat which lasted for more than 25 years. The Teenager on his debut ODI also picked up a wicket as he caught and bowled Mehidy Hasan for 5.
Rehan Ahmed before becoming the youngest Brit to play One Day cricket had become the youngest to appear for the Three Lions in Red ball cricket as well. On 17 December 2022, Rehan featured against Pakistan for the 3rd test at Karachi at the age of 18 years and 126 days.
Rehan Ahmed became the first 18-year-old to play a men's ODI for England 🏴 pic.twitter.com/to6JAq6pn0
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 6, 2023
The Teenager on his debut Test match picked up 7 wickets combined in both innings and named another record on the way. On day 3 of the Karachi Test, the Leg spinner became the youngest player to pick up a 5-wicket haul on debut and yesterday he received his maiden ODI cap from the hands of Adil Rashid himself.
✨ A special moment before the start of play today…
You've done yourself and your family proud, @RehanAhmed__16 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ggRzlxGZhu
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 6, 2023
Ahmed overtook former England cricketer Ben Hollioake, who made his ODI debut for England in 1997 aged 19 years and 195 days against Australia at Lords’. And Ahmed broke the 26-year-old record as he appeared for the Three Lions at the age of 18 years and 205 days.
This old video of Shane Warne telling a 13 year old Rehan Ahmed that he'll be playing first-class cricket by 15 is really heartwarming.Shane Warne will be so proud of Rehan taking his first of many test match wickets & watching his every step❤️🏏 #PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/BhPVXNrIX9
— James (@Surreycricfan) December 17, 2022
England’s T20 World cup wining captain Jos Buttler was delighted to have Rehan Ahmed make his debut and wants the teenager to spend more time with Veteran Adil Rashid.
“He’s still a very young man – just a teenager. We’re excited about his development and where we think he can go and it’s great to have him in and around the England set-up. Someone like Adil Rashid has been such a star performer for us for a long period of time, Rehan getting to spend time with him and discuss bowling and watching each other bowl will be a huge benefit to him and a big step in his development.”
Meanwhile, the reigning ODI World Champions England clinched the 3-match ODI Series against Bangladesh by 2-1 and now the Three Lions will prepare for the 3-match T20I series scheduled to start from 9 March.
