Michael Vaughan hails ‘superstar in the making’ as Rehan Ahmed shines on England debut

The likes of Michael Vaughan, Waqar Younis and Stuart Broad have all lavished praise on teenage leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed after he made yet more history by claiming a five-wicket haul against Pakistan in Karachi

Rehan Ahmed celebrates his maiden Test five-fer (

Image: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Rehan Ahmed has been hailed as a “superstar in the making” by former England captain Michael Vaughan after becoming the youngest ever debutant to take a five-wicket haul in the history of Test cricket.

Ahmed had already made history in this game, having become England’s youngest ever men’s Test cricketer. He broke a 73-year-old record previously by held by Brian Close by just 23 days when he was handed a debut against Pakistan in Karachi at the tender age of 18 years and 126 days.

And the leg-spinner could not have dreamed of a better start to his Test career, having turned the game on its head when he picked up 5-48 in Pakistan’s second innings. It took a while for captain Ben Stokes to hand him the ball on day three, but when he was introduced into the attack shortly before tea he made a stunning impact.

Ahmed picked up three huge wickets in quick succession, reducing Pakistan from 164-3 to 177-6. Pakistan skipper Babar Azam became his first victim when he slapped a long hop straight to short midwicket.

Ahmed then got Mohammad Rizwan caught behind for seven with a ball that straightened just enough to catch his outside edge, before Saud Shakeel top edged a sweep to square leg for 53. The teenager continued his spell after the tea break and also picked up the wickets of Mohammad Wasim and Agha Salman to claim a maiden Test five wicket haul.

In the process, he broke a record set by Australia captain Pat Cummins, who became the youngest Test debutant to take a five-for at the age of 18 years and 193 days. Ahmed beat Cummins’ record by 65 days and he is also the sixth-youngest player to ever take a Test five-fer.

“I think we might have a superstar in the making .. @RehanAhmed__16”, Vaughan tweeted. “5 on debut at 18 !! Tears for the old boy in the stand .. Dreams really do come true .. absolutely brilliant” Former England bowler Isa Guha added: “Rehan Ahmed!!!!! Youngest ever debutant to take a 5fa in mens Tests. That is incredible!!!”

“Rehan showed his class and shows that he belongs here,” Pakistan legend Waqar Younis said on BBC Test Match Special. “It’s heartening to see a young man on his debut to take five wickets. A true match winner! He’ll be a threat to the world.”

“The best thing about it is that it was a game-changing five-for,” added Stuart Broad on Sky Sports. “The game was slowly moving towards Pakistan while Babar was going on or at least in the balance. He has turned the game completely in England’s favour.”

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