PAK vs ENG: Rehan Ahmed set to surpass Brian Close as England men's youngest Test player

England teenage leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed is set to surpass Brian Close as England men's youngest Test player in the third match against Pakistan, starting from Saturday. The Leicestershire spinner will be 18 years and 126 days old when he will be handed the England Test cap. Brian, meanwhile, was 18 years and 149 days old when he debuted for the Three Lions against New Zealand at Manchester in 1949.

Rehan has featured in only three first-class matches for Leicestershire thus far before earning a call-up from the national side ahead of the Test series. The visitors announced two changes ahead of the Test match as the youngster is set to replace Will Jacks in the forthcoming red-ball contest in Karachi while wicketkeeper Ben Foakes comes in for James Anderson.

PAK vs ENG: Ben Stokes shows faith in Rehan Ahmed

England captain Ben Stokes stated that Rehan’s inclusion in the playing XI would help him garner experience of playing in international cricket.

"I think it's a good opportunity for us to not only look at him but for him to come in and experience what it's like to play international cricket. It's exciting times for Rehan especially, and he was very excited when we gave him the nod that he was going to play last night. Because he is only young, and you've still got to nurture talent, no matter how exciting it is,” told Stokes in a news conference in Karachi as quoted by NDTV sports.

England have registered wins in their first two Test matches and are leading the series 2-0. The visitors will aim to put up another dominant performance so as to obtain a series whitewash away from home against Pakistan.