Nottinghamshire have signed up Farhan Ahmed, their homegrown spinner and brother of Test cricketer Rehan, for a three-and-a-half year professional contract. Only 16, Farhan became the second Academy product to sign permanent terms within a year, after Freddie McCann in November 2023.

“There is no doubt that this is an exciting time for Farhan and the club,” said Notts head coach Peter Moores. “He is a player with bags of talent and a high ceiling in the game. He’s a grounded individual, though, and he knows the work starts now for him to fulfil that potential in the years ahead. He’s focused on forging his own path in the game, and he’ll have our full support as he begins to do that.”

Farhan's journey to a professional county contract

Farhan was only 13 when he attended the Bunbury festival, a tournament for the best under-15 boys players in England. He captained them a year later. In 2023, he played at the ECB Super 4s, for the “brightest” Under-17 prospects in England and was selected for Youth Tests against Australia. Earlier this year, he played in the Under-19 World Cup in South Africa. Till date, he is the only 15-year-old to represent England in Youth Tests as well as at the Under-19 World Cup.

An outstanding start to the U19 World Cup for Farhan Ahmed, the 15-year-old brother of England spinner, Rehan.#CWC24 pic.twitter.com/HRZGHCuaPF

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) January 21, 2024

Farhan has been a regular in the Nottinghamshire Second XI amidst academic commitments. He played eight short-format and six Championship matches across the last two seasons.

“I’m obviously very happy and excited to have signed this contract. It is something I’ve been working towards since I started playing cricket,” said Farhan. “For it to be for my home county is a dream come true, too. The history of the club is clear, and to be part of it myself is something I am looking forward to.

"I’ve seen other players make that step from the Academy onto the pro staff then play first team cricket, which gives me confidence that I can do the same in the years ahead.

“Equally, I don’t want to look too far ahead. I’ll do my best to take every chance I’m given and keep improving as a player in all aspects, while I hope I can help put Nottinghamshire in winning positions when I get the opportunities.”

Farhan joined the Green and Golds’ Academy in 2022, having taken 86 wickets in 57 games for the Nottinghamshire Under-18s. In all, he has played over 150 pathway games for the county.

“Farhan has been with us for seven years now, and his talent has been obvious across that time,” said elite pathway manager Matt Wood. “He is a clever bowler – he’s very mature in that sense – and his trajectory over the last couple of years has been exceptional. It’ll be another step up for him to play regularly with the senior squad, but his focus and attitude is second to none, and that’ll help him in that transition.”

Farhan’s elder brother Rehan plays for Leicestershire, and has already represented England in all three formats.