England has added 20-year-old leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed to a three-man spin attack for the third Test against Pakistan here in Rawalpindi, where Gus Atkinson and Jack Leach join him from an international debut two years ago, replacing Matthew Potts and Brydon Carse.
That decision came in light of England’s experience a few months ago in India and amidst concerns over the conditions of the pitches. England batter Harry Brook said that the pitch would be not as conducive to swing and seam particularly in the first sessions of the match, thus changing the strategy.
Ahmed impressed in his first game in Karachi, taking 5 for 48 and has since played in four matches, with his last fixture against India earlier in the year in Rajkot. Brook hailed Ahmed as “such an outstanding cricketer” and wished that it will be another good game for him.
In the last Test, Pakistan leveled the series 1-1 after both spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan had to nail all 20 wickets of the English. Brook said, “it’s special conditions,” and added that this was the first time they were using such large fans and patio heaters to deal with moisture levels in the pitch.
With the match looming large, Brook reminisced on how a thrill of performing for England in tournament-defining games also reminds him of the amazing victory they achieved at Rawalpindi two years back in the last series. He confirmed that his mates were eager to give a good enough show and go one up at home again in Pakistan.
