England leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed continued to thrive in his new role as a County Championship opener, scoring a century for Leicestershire on Day 3 of their Division Two match against Lancashire.
After fielding for most of the first two days, Rehan wasn’t required to bowl as Leicestershire dismissed Lancashire for 263. However, he opened the Foxes’ innings alongside Sol Budinger in the evening session. Rehan brought up his second fifty-plus score on the trot as an opener, off 77 balls, following a 102-run quickfire opening stand with Sol Budinger.
Resuming on his overnight score of 61, Rehan reached his century off the last ball of the 45th over, nudging John Turner for a single to mid-off. He celebrated by kissing the ground in gratitude, having reached the landmark in 147 deliveries, studded with 14 fours.
A 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 innings from a special player. 💫💯
— Leicestershire CCC 🦊 (@leicsccc) April 20, 2025
Rehan's second first-class century was spectacular. 💥#Foxes🦊 pic.twitter.com/htrv7LLSzS
However, his joy was short-lived. Two balls later, Lancashire’s left-arm spinner Tom Hartley – bowling from over the wicket – dismissed him as a defensive stroke found close-in fielder Josh Bohannon. Rehan fell without adding to his score.
Leicestershire first promoted Rehan to opener in a small chase in their first game of the season, and continued with the experiment last week after regular opener Rishi Patel was ruled out injured against Glamorgan. Following a first-innings dismissal for 13 against Derbyshire, Rehan rebounded with a blistering 77 off just 59 balls (14 fours and a six), helping Leicestershire set up a declaration.
This marked Rehan’s second first-class century. His maiden ton came during his debut season in 2022, when he struck 122 off 113 balls from No.5 against Derbyshire, containing 14 fours and five sixes – a defiant knock that helped his team salvage a draw after trailing by 319 runs in the first innings.
Leicestershire, top of the table coming into the third round of fixtures, declared on 491-8 before taking three Lancashire wickets before stumps.
