PAK vs ENG: “He's A Fantastic Talent, He Loves Cricket” – Ben Stokes On Rehan Ahmed

Published - 27 Nov 2022, 01:42 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM

Brendon McCullum, Ben Stokes. (Photo: Twitter)

England National Cricket Team Test captain Ben Stokes lavished praise on the 18-year-old all-rounder Rehan Ahmed, saying that he is a “fantastic talent” who absolutely loves cricket.

Ahmed has been selected in England’s squad for the forthcoming tour of Pakistan, which consists of three Test matches. The three-match Test series is all set to be played from December 1 to 5 in Rawalpindi, from December 9 to 13 in Multan and from December 17 to 21 in Karachi.

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Meanwhile, the England red-ball skipper Stokes said that Ahmed is one of the “very rare” talents.

“We’ve seen him as one of those very rare talents. To have someone at such a young age be so noticeable as a cricketer with the way that he bowls and the way that he bats. We saw it as an excellent opportunity to get him into the squad, get him around the group, get him into the environment,” Stokes told Sky Sports.

I’m really excited to have him in the squad – Ben Stokes on Rehan Ahmed

The 31-year-old further expressed excitement over the inclusion of the 18-year-old in the Test squad. Stokes also said that they might hand the debut cap to Ahmed on the Pakistan tour.

“He’s a fantastic talent, he loves cricket, and he just spends all his time shadow-batting in his room. He absolutely loves it. I’m really excited to have him in the squad, get him around the group, and see what he’s got.”

“We see this as an opportunity to get someone as talented as Rehan into the squad, nurture him, and then who knows where we could be in two to three years? If we feel like we want to chuck him a Test cap, then we’re in a position to do that as well,” Stokes added.