In a vivid recollection tinged with both pride and sorrow, England’s burgeoning spin sensation, Rehan Ahmed, reminisced about a poignant moment during their monumental opening Test against Pakistan at the illustrious Multan Cricket Stadium. The backdrop? A staggering 823 runs on the board for the English giants, eclipsing Pakistan’s formidable first innings total of 556 with a commanding lead of 267, bolstered by remarkable individual feats from Harry Brook, who illuminated the pitch with a scintillating 317, and the ever-dependable Joe Root, amassing 262 runs.
However, amidst the jubilation of victory, Rehan’s father found himself unable to revel in the triumph. The disappointment was palpable; after witnessing his homeland’s struggle to capitalize on their substantial lead, he made the bittersweet decision to exit the stadium, embarking on a four-hour journey back home, unable to bear the unfolding spectacle. Born in Pakistan and a transplant to England in 2001, his paternal loyalties tugged at his heartstrings, torn between national pride and the ambition of his son.
“In that first Test, when we breached the 800 mark against Pakistan, my dad couldn’t stay. He left the stadium, heading back home because he simply couldn’t watch his team falter. He tries to mask his emotions, but beneath that façade, I know he yearns for our success yet dreads the thought of his team suffering a defeat,” Rehan shared candidly during an interview with BBC Test Match Special.
Turning the spotlight to the series standings, England emerged victorious with a resounding win by an innings and 47 runs, catapulting them to a 1-0 lead in the series. For Pakistan, it marked another chapter in their growing faux pas under Shan Masood’s leadership—a streak of six consecutive Test losses since his ascension from the captaincy helm previously held by Babar Azam.
On a promising note, Rehan Ahmed, who had previously watched from the sidelines in the first two Tests, received a call-up for the series decider in Rawalpindi. Now joining forces with the seasoned spin duo of Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir, the young prodigy steps into the fray, eager to carve a niche for himself. Having made his Test debut in Pakistan back in 2022, he has participated in four matches thus far, but his journey is only just beginning. The anticipation swells as Rehan gears up to leave his mark on this historic series.
