In a surprising move, Leicestershire promoted England leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed to open the batting on the opening day (April 11) of their 2025 County Championship fixture against Derbyshire.
At the toss, Leicestershire made two changes from their match against Glamorgan, bringing in Logan van Beek and Louis Kimber. After being asked to bat first, they also rejigged their top order. As the two teams walked out to the field, Sol Budinger did not accompany his usual opening partner, Ian Holland. Instead, he walked out to open with Rehan.
The move didn’t pay off, as Rehan fell for a 20-ball 13, having struck two fours. He was undone by a fast, full, and straight delivery from Derbyshire seamer Zak Chappell, playing a booming drive that allowed the ball to sneak between bat and pad and crash into the stumps.
Rehan had also opened in the fourth innings against Glamorgan, in a chase of 51 runs. The Foxes raced to the target in six overs without losing a wicket, with Rehan remaining unbeaten on 13 off 18.
Fast, full and straight ✅
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) April 11, 2025
Chappell bowls Rehan Ahmed to get us on the board.
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During the 2022 English summer, England Test captain Ben Stokes revealed that the team planned to use Stuart Broad in a role similar to a traditional nightwatchman but with an attacking mindset. They dubbed it the 'Nighthawk'. It’s possible Leicestershire tried something similar with Rehan Ahmed, except it was the first morning of the match. Perhaps 'MorningHawk'?
Rehan made his first-class debut in May 2022 and was fast-tracked into the England setup, becoming the youngest man to play Test cricket for England when he debuted against Pakistan that December. He impressed immediately, claiming 5-48 in the third innings en route to an England win in Karachi. Before today, five of his 26 first-class matches had been Test matches.
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