Rehan out to make an impression as readymade Rashid substitute
For greater than a decade, the pièce de Rashistance of England’s white-ball set-up has been Adil‘s wristspin.
Filling the footwear of any world-class performer is nearly all the time a doomed process. And these anointed to take action not often admire the burden of expectation that’s lumped on their rising shoulders. But however, step ahead Rehan Ahmed.
Rehan was the choose of England’s bowlers throughout defeat to West Indies in the first ODI, claiming 2 for 40 from his ten overs, spinning the ball sharply in each instructions. His googly, which is arguably extra of a inventory supply for him than his legbreak, is sensational. A contemporary-day legspinner within the form of Rashid Khan versus Shane Warne. And he can launch the ball out of the bottom with the bat too.
At a time when England are heading into the ultimate years of Rashid’s profession, the very fact a readymade substitute is growing in entrance of our eyes is a blessing. Whether Rehan contributes an identical quantity of wickets that Rashid has accomplished throughout his profession, it is unattainable to inform. What you could be positive of, nevertheless, is that he’ll present a top quality of leisure that few throughout the remainder of the sport can.
Rehan was picked for Pakistan final winter on the premise that Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum simply appreciated it. What they appreciated precisely, nobody was actually positive. A batter who bowls? A bowler who bats? No one knew. They simply felt that no matter mysterious concoction they’d been served up by the Leicestershire academy was scrumptious they usually needed heaps extra of it.
“I don’t mind being hit for runs,” Rehan mentioned the day after England’s defeat. “I just want to take wickets. The runs aren’t really part of it. I know there’s going to be a couple days where I get it wrong and I get hit around, which I’m fine with, it’s just more when I’m on top and I’m bowling well to [try to ] impact the game as much as I can.”
On Sunday in Antigua, Rehan gave West Indies No. 3 Keacy Carty a dwelling nightmare. In 17 deliveries to Carty, who has been struggling for home type, Rehan conceded simply seven runs as he constantly turned the ball previous each edges. Yes, the pitch assisted spin – but when it is turning, you need your spinner to bowl properly. And he did.
“I think there was a couple of overs in there I could have maybe attacked a bit more,” Rehan mentioned a spell that looked certain to have won England the match. “[I could have] played around with the field a little bit more. But again I’m not seeking perfection and I felt like I bowled very well. I think I challenged the stumps quite a bit. But there’s always ways to improve.”
This is not to retire Rashid prematurely, with the candy spot for England doubtlessly mendacity within the concept of taking part in each of them. For simply £40, you may go to a Trent Bridge ODI and watch Qui-Gon Jinn practice his Padawan one over at a time. After all, in the identical manner that Rehan was picked for the tour of Pakistan on the premise that in case you’re ok, you are sufficiently old – a 39-year-old Rashid in 2027 might rock as much as one other World Cup on the premise that in case you’re ok, you are younger sufficient.
“I think so,” Rehan replied when requested if he reckoned England may play with two leggies in a single aspect. Which, admittedly, is a query it’s in his curiosity to reply affirmatively. “You see more than one seamer in a team, so there can always be more than one legspinner.”
“Rash is probably the best legspinner in the world right now and whenever I’m with him I try to take as much information as I can, especially on his legspinner – he’s got about 12 so I just try to pick one of them for now. But it has offered me a lot and I’m getting a bit more sidespin than I used to.
“I performed a few T20s in the summertime and the Bangladesh sport [in March] as properly so I believe it was a pleasant feeling for all of us collectively. I really feel like I can communicate to Rash about bowling and it felt like a follow sport though it was a world sport so it stored me very relaxed.”
What’s more, if the idea of more than one legspinner in a team is cause for excitement, a team with more than one Ahmed is doubly so, with Rehan’s brother, Farhan, a 15-year-old offspinner, set to be named in England men’s Under-19 World Cup squad.
“He bowls a variety of dot balls so he’ll be fairly boring,” Rehan joked. “But no, I’m very pleased for him. He’s very younger and he is been picked for such an enormous factor as properly. It’s an unbelievable achievement. He’s really in school proper now doing his physics check.”
Rehan is one of three brothers, and the family have a strong cricketing bond with his elder brother playing regularly for Nottinghamshire 2nd XI. The trio also regularly turn out together for their club side Cavaliers and Carrington – previously described by Rehan as the “Manchester United of cricket, one of the best membership in England”.
So invested is Rehan, he returned to play for Cavaliers the weekend before the Ireland ODI series in September began. “I play with my older brother and youthful brother and pop in membership cricket and it is one of the best feeling ever. As many people that may play collectively, it is all the time going to be good. Whether it is for England, for county, for college, for a membership, something. I believe taking part in alongside household is all the time an excellent feeling.”
Cameron Ponsonby is a contract cricket author in London. @cameronponsonby