Rehan Ahmed Eager to Fulfil His Dream of Playing in The Ashes

image-lfe0zpoxRehan Ahmed has had a promising start to his Test career (Twitter)

England’s prodigious leg-spinner, Rehan Ahmed, has voiced his fervent desire to participate in the forthcoming Ashes, a dream that he feels he is well-equipped to handle after thriving in the most demanding format of cricket.

Despite harboring aspirations of playing against the Australians, the leg-spinner remains grounded and adopts a pragmatic outlook, stating that he takes each day as it comes and accepts whatever fate has in store for him.

"I still dream of it, but at the same time I take each day as it comes. If I play I play, if I don’t I don't kind of thing,"

The English teenager, who became the youngest Test cricketer for England three months ago, made an unforgettable debut against Pakistan by dismissing Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, and Mohammad Rizwan on his way to a maiden five-wicket haul. His impactful performance not only dismantled Pakistan's second innings, but it also earned him the opportunity to bat at number three where he scored 10 off 8 balls.

After notching up his first wickets in the one-day and Twenty20 internationals on the white-ball tour of Bangladesh, Ahmed expressed his opinion on the contrasting nature of pressures between the Test format and the shorter versions of the game.

The talented bowler articulated that the Test format presented a unique set of challenges which necessitated greater physical and mental endurance. He emphasized that the Test format is an entirely different ballgame as compared to the abbreviated formats of cricket.

The Test match was the highest level of pressure I’ve ever played in. That was a different type of intensity. This was very hard, but a Test match was physically, mentally so much harder,” added Ahmed.

The 18-year old confessed that he was apprehensive about playing Test cricket, and his nerves were evident when he bowled his first ball to Azhar Ali. However, he stated that he relished the experience and embraced the intensity of the game. The Nottingham born spinner explained that the joy he derived from winning the Test match was unparalleled and is doubtful if any other accomplishment can match it.

"One hundred per cent the joy I got from playing Test match and winning the Test match was unmatched. I don’t know if anything can match that,"

Ahmed's perception of Test cricket has evolved from considering it a dull game to believing that it is the most enjoyable and rewarding format. He recognizes that he has a long way to go before he becomes a regular in the Test team, but he is relishing the challenge and is eager to showcase his abilities.

“I used to see it as something that's a boring game. But it's a long game, it's the hardest game. Now I see it as the most fun game, the one to take the most joy from."