KARACHI: Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed will develop into England’s youngest-ever Test cricketer when the third and last sport in opposition to Pakistan begins in Karachi on Saturday, skipper Ben Stokes mentioned.
Ahmed will likely be 18 years and 126 days previous when the match begins, beating Brian Close who was 18 years and 149 days previous when he debuted for England in opposition to New Zealand at Manchester in 1949.
“I think it’s a good opportunity for us to not only look at him but for him to come in and experience what it’s like to play international cricket,” Stokes instructed a news convention in Karachi.
“It’s exciting times for Rehan especially, and he was very excited when we gave him the nod that he was going to play last night.”
Stokes introduced two adjustments from the second Test in Multan, which England gained by 26 runs to take an unbeatable 2-0 sequence lead.
Ahmed will substitute spinner Will Jacks whereas wicketkeeper Ben Foakes is available in for James Anderson, who’s being rested.
Ahmed’s inclusion highlights England’s daring strategy to Test cricket, adopted since Stokes took over as skipper and former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum turned head coach in May.
Stokes mentioned Ahmed was spectacular within the final English season, scoring 100 and taking 5 wickets in his final first-class match.
He additionally impressed McCullum and Stokes within the pre-tour match in Abu Dhabi final month.
“He’s got a lot of skill with both bat and ball, so it’s great to be able to bring someone with the talent and the excitement that he has into the squad and see what he’s got this week,” Stokes mentioned.
“He’s got a vast array of shots. And obviously a wrist-spinner is great to be able to have in your team, especially in these conditions,” he mentioned.
Stokes hoped Karachi’s National Stadium pitch would take extra spin than the one utilized in Multan.
“We’ve taken a look at the wicket as well, which looks very dry, I personally think it might spin a bit more than it did in the last Test match,” he mentioned.
England are on their first Test tour of Pakistan since 2005, having lengthy refused to tour for safety causes.
Ahmed will likely be 18 years and 126 days previous when the match begins, beating Brian Close who was 18 years and 149 days previous when he debuted for England in opposition to New Zealand at Manchester in 1949.
“I think it’s a good opportunity for us to not only look at him but for him to come in and experience what it’s like to play international cricket,” Stokes instructed a news convention in Karachi.
“It’s exciting times for Rehan especially, and he was very excited when we gave him the nod that he was going to play last night.”
Stokes introduced two adjustments from the second Test in Multan, which England gained by 26 runs to take an unbeatable 2-0 sequence lead.
Ahmed will substitute spinner Will Jacks whereas wicketkeeper Ben Foakes is available in for James Anderson, who’s being rested.
Ahmed’s inclusion highlights England’s daring strategy to Test cricket, adopted since Stokes took over as skipper and former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum turned head coach in May.
Stokes mentioned Ahmed was spectacular within the final English season, scoring 100 and taking 5 wickets in his final first-class match.
He additionally impressed McCullum and Stokes within the pre-tour match in Abu Dhabi final month.
“He’s got a lot of skill with both bat and ball, so it’s great to be able to bring someone with the talent and the excitement that he has into the squad and see what he’s got this week,” Stokes mentioned.
“He’s got a vast array of shots. And obviously a wrist-spinner is great to be able to have in your team, especially in these conditions,” he mentioned.
Stokes hoped Karachi’s National Stadium pitch would take extra spin than the one utilized in Multan.
“We’ve taken a look at the wicket as well, which looks very dry, I personally think it might spin a bit more than it did in the last Test match,” he mentioned.
England are on their first Test tour of Pakistan since 2005, having lengthy refused to tour for safety causes.