Rehan Ahmed, the 18-year-old leg-spinner from Nottingham, will make history by becoming the youngest man to play Test cricket for England after making his debut against Pakistan in the third and final game of the three-match series which is already sealed by Ben Stoke’s team.
When the final Test starts on Saturday, the Leicestershire player will be 18 years and 126 days old, breaking Brian Close’s previous mark of 18 years and 149 days set in July 1949 when he played against New Zealand.
Rehan’s father was also a professional cricketer, who played in Pakistan before moving to England.
For the third and final Test, England will make two changes, including Ahmed. Leg-spinner Rehan and wicketkeeper Ben Foakes replace seamer James Anderson and off-spinner all-arounder Will Jacks in the starting XI.
In the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup earlier this year, Ahmed made an impression as England’s second-highest wicket-taker with 12 wickets in four matches at an average of 12.58.
Currently leading the three-match series 2-0, England is aiming for a historic 3-0 series sweep and its ninth victory in the last ten tests since Ben Stokes was appointed captain and Brendon McCullum was named head coach.
In previous 3 Test matches, England blew away Pakistani batters and bowlers with combined team efforts, even the skipper Ben Stokes ranked Rawalpindi victory as one of the greatest away triumphs.