AHMED’S SPIN WITH A CHANCE

Rehan, 18, could become England’s youngest Test player after call-up

REHAN AHMED could become England’s youngest Test cricketer next week after the teenage leg-spinner’s shock call-up.

Ahmed, who only made his county championship debut for Leicestershire six months ago, could make his England debut against Pakistan with just nine first-class wickets and 446 deliveries to his name.

The 18-year-old has won rave reviews at the Lions development squad training camp in the United

Arab Emirates and England coach Brendon Mccullum said: “We know he’s not the finished article but he will add to the make-up of our squad.”

If Ahmed is handed his cap in Rawalpindi, Multan or Karachi, he will beat Brian Close’s 73-year-old record after the Yorkshire and Somerset legend’s debut at 18 years 149 days in 1949. And it will validate the attention he was afforded as an 11-year-old, when he bowled Ben Stokes and Sir Alastair Cook in the Lord’s nets after being invited to bowl at the senior squad.

Being clubbed for 73 runs off eight overs – which was Ahmed’s fate in a practice match for the Lions as the full Test side racked up 501-7 in Abu Dhabi yesterday – is not usually the prelude to an England summons.

But Mccullum (left) and skipper Stokes were so impressed with his attitude, a keynote of ‘Bazball’ virtues in England’s brave new world, the surprise news was revealed on close of play. Mccullum said: “He has raw potential but Ben, myself and the rest of the coaches like how he approaches his game.

“The experience of being part of the squad in Pakistan will be hugely beneficial for him.”

Jack Leach had been the only specialist spinner selected for

England’s first Test series in Pakistan since 2005, with allrounders Liam Livingstone and Will Jacks providing supplementary twirl.

World Cup winner Jofra Archer made his long-awaited return after an 18-month absence due to elbow surgery and a spinal stress fracture in the warm-up match.

Archer’s nine overs cost 38 runs, but he worked up enough pace to prang Zak Crawley on the helmet with the new ball. Crawley went on to reach 96 before Archer ran him out as Ollie Pope top-scored for the Test XI with a commanding 146 off 120 balls.

ENGLAND white-ball coach Matthew Mott believes Dawid Malan can force his way into their 2023 World Cup defence in India.

Malan’s 134 in Adelaide was the only bright spot of a 3-0 defeat in the one-day series in Australia and although Joe Root has become a fixture at No.3 in England’s 50over side, Mott said: “Dawid will be a big part of the mix for that World Cup.”