RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: England has recalled 20-year-old leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed for the series-deciding third Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.
Alongside Ahmed, Gus Atkinson also returns to the side, replacing Matthew Potts and Brydon Carse. Ahmed will form part of a three-pronged spin attack with Shoaib Bashir and Jack Leach, while Ben Stokes and Atkinson handle the pace bowling.
This move comes amid speculation about the pitch, which is expected to favor spinners rather than pace bowlers. England has previously utilized three frontline spinners during their tour of India earlier this year, and the strategy reflects their anticipation of similar conditions in Pakistan.
Ahmed’s return comes after making his international debut in Pakistan at 18, where he claimed a five-wicket haul in Karachi. His impressive performance marked him as the third-youngest player to achieve such a feat on a Test debut. Teammate Harry Brook praised Ahmed’s all-around cricketing skills, including his bowling, batting, and fielding.
Pakistan leveled the series 1-1 in Multan, where spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan dominated, taking all 20 wickets on a reused pitch. England hopes their spin-heavy lineup will give them the edge in Rawalpindi.
