British-Pakistani Rehan receives maiden England call-up for Pakistan tour

LONDON: England Cricket Board on Wednesday added an 18-year-old British-Pakistani, Rehan Ahmed, to the Test squad for the historic tour of Pakistan, commencing on December 1.

The leg-spinning all-rounder has received his maiden England call-up and if he gets a chance in playing XI during the three-match series against Pakistan, he will become the youngest cricketer to play a Test for England.

Leicestershire’s Rehan is currently part of the England Lions and playing a warm-up game against the senior side during their training camp in Abu Dhabi.

“The 18-year-old, who has been with the Lions in their red-ball training camp in the UAE and is currently playing in the three-day warm-up fixture against the England Test squad in Abu Dhabi, has impressed coaches with his attitude and genuine potential to be given his first call up to the senior side.” said ECB in a press release

England red-ball coach Brendon McCullum praised the youngster’s approach towards the game besides calling him an unfinished article.

“We know he’s not the finished article and has raw potential, but Ben (Stokes), 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, and he will add to the make-up of our squad.” said McCullum as quoted by the ECB release.

On Saturday, England will fly to Pakistan after concluding their Test camp at the Abu Dhabi Cricket and Sports Hub.

Ben Stokes-led side will arrive in Pakistan on November 27 and after the Test in Rawalpindi, the team will travel to Multan for the second Test from December 9 to 13.

The final match of the tour will be staged at the National Stadium in Karachi, commencing on December 17.

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