England’s rising leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has set his sights on becoming a genuine all-rounder, with ambitions to secure a place in the upcoming Ashes squad.
While acknowledging that bowling remains his primary strength, the 21-year-old is determined to enhance his batting contributions.
“I still see myself as a bowler who can bat, but my goal is to excel in both disciplines. Whether it takes time or happens quickly, I’ll keep pushing to be the best all-rounder I can be,” Ahmed said.
His confidence with the bat has surged following a strong run of form, including five first-class centuries. “If I spend enough time at the crease, I know I can score runs. I’m surprised I’ve managed five hundreds, but it’s a great feeling,” he added.
Often compared to Australia’s Steve Smith—who began his career as a leg-spinning all-rounder—Ahmed emphasized his commitment to balancing both skills. “Leg-spin is an art you never stop learning. I love bowling, but I also want to consistently contribute with runs and wickets in the same matches,” he explained.
While the prospect of playing in the Ashes excites him, Ahmed remains pragmatic about his selection chances. “I’ve never played in Australia, but it looks amazing. If selected, I’ll give everything. If not, I’ll respect the management’s call—it’ll still be a fantastic series to watch,” he said.
