Rawalpindi, October 22, 2024- England has recalled Rehan Ahmed as one of three frontline spinners for the series decider against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. The 20-year-old leg-spinner joins Gus Atkinson in the squad, replacing Matthew Potts and Brydon Carse, who were part of the team that lost the second Test.
Ahmed will form a three-pronged spin attack alongside Shoaib Bashir and Jack Leach, while Atkinson and captain Ben Stokes will lead the pace bowling efforts. England previously utilized three frontline spinners during their tour of India earlier this year, a strategy likely influenced by the pitch conditions for Thursday’s third Test.
Making his international debut in Pakistan two years ago, Ahmed became the youngest player to represent England in Test cricket at just 18. He recorded figures of 5-48 in his debut match in Karachi, making him the third-youngest player to achieve a five-wicket haul on debut. Since then, he has earned four caps, with his last appearance against India in Rajkot in February.
The series is currently tied 1-1 after Pakistan leveled it on a reused pitch in Multan, where spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan shared all 20 wickets.
In the second Test, left-armer Noman took 11 wickets, while off-spinner Sajid claimed nine, marking the first instance since 1972 that a pair of bowlers shared all 20 wickets in a Test match.
In the first Test, Brook scored England’s first triple-century in 34 years but managed only nine and 16 runs in the second Test. Sajid has shared his strategy for bowling to Brook, who was dismissed twice while attempting to score off the back foot.
