LONDON — Trent Rockets captain Joe Root has called for patience with the continued development of teenage leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, even as the prodigy delivered another match-winning performance to secure second place in The Hundred men's group stage with a tense three-wicket victory over Birmingham Phoenix at Edgbaston.
Ahmed, still only 19, produced a stunning spell of 3 for 22 from his 20 balls, dismantling the Phoenix middle order and restricting the home side to 144 for 7. He then returned to smash a crucial, unbeaten 13 from just 5 balls under immense pressure, sealing the victory with two balls to spare and sending the Rockets directly into Friday’s crucial eliminator at The Oval.
Ahmed's All-Round Masterclass
On a used pitch offering significant turn, Ahmed’s intelligence and variation proved far too much for a powerful Phoenix batting lineup. He claimed the prized scalps of England World Cup hopeful Liam Livingstone, clean bowled for 14, the dangerous Moeen Ali, caught at deep midwicket, and the in-form Benny Howell, trapped lbw. His performance built on a string of impressive displays throughout the competition, solidifying his reputation as one of the most exciting talents in world cricket.
Speaking after the nail-biting finish, a beaming but measured Root was full of praise for his young teammate but was quick to temper expectations. "He's a fantastic talent, and he's shown that on numerous occasions now, not just with the ball but with the bat as well in high-pressure situations," Root said. "But we have to be careful. He's still so young and learning his game. The most important thing is that we allow him to develop at his own pace and enjoy his cricket without putting too much pressure on him."
A Tense Run Chase Sealed at the Death
The Rockets’ run chase was anything but straightforward. Set 145 to win, they found themselves in deep trouble at 95 for 6, thanks to excellent bowling from Phoenix’s pace duo of Benny Howell and Tom Helm. However, a vital 43-run partnership between the experienced New Zealander Colin Munro (38) and Lewis Gregory (19) steadied the ship before Ahmed and Nathan Ellis were tasked with scoring 10 runs from the final 10 balls.
Ahmed kept his cool, dispatching a full toss from Dan Mousley to the boundary before scampering the winning runs. His composure belied his age, showcasing a temperament that has many tipping him for a full international recall in the near future. Root, however, emphasized the importance of a long-term view.
"The worst thing we could do is get carried away with every performance," Root explained. "There will be times when it doesn't come off for him, and that's part of the learning process. Our job as senior players is to support him through those moments as much as we celebrate nights like tonight."
What This Victory Means for The Rockets
The victory was crucial for the Trent Rockets’ campaign, securing second place in the group stage with 11 points and granting them a valuable second chance in the knockout phase. They will now face the winner of the match between third and fourth place in Friday’s eliminator, with a spot in Sunday’s final at Lord’s against the Southern Brave awaiting the victor.
The Rockets' success has been built on a balanced attack and key contributions throughout the order. Key factors in their campaign include:
- Spin Dominance: The combination of Ahmed and Afghanistan's Rashid Khan.
- Power at the Top: Alex Hales and Dawid Malan providing explosive starts.
- Death Bowling: The accuracy of Nathan Ellis and Sam Cook at the death.
- Middle-Order Steel: The experience of Joe Root and Colin Munro.
- Captaincy: Root's calm leadership under pressure.
The Bigger Picture for Rehan Ahmed
Ahmed’s performances in The Hundred have reignited the conversation about his inclusion in the England setup, particularly with a Test tour of Pakistan and a white-ball series in the West Indies on the horizon later this year. He became England’s youngest ever men’s Test cricketer when he debuted in Karachi in December 2022, taking a five-wicket haul in the second innings, but has since found opportunities limited.
National selector Luke Wright has been in attendance at several Rockets games, and Ahmed’s ability to perform in high-pressure situations will not have gone unnoticed. His skillset as a wicket-taking leg-spinner who can also contribute vital runs down the order is a rare and valuable commodity in the modern game.
Phoenix captain Moeen Ali, himself a veteran of 68 Tests for England, echoed Root’s sentiments about managing the youngster. "He's a special, special talent," Moeen said. "You can see he has that X-factor. The key for him is to keep working hard, stay humble, and the rest will take care of itself. England have a real gem on their hands if they look after him properly."
Looking Ahead to The Eliminator
For now, Ahmed’s focus will immediately shift to preparing for Friday’s knockout match at The Oval. The Rockets will be hoping their momentum and newfound confidence in close finishes will carry them through to a second Hundred final in three years. With their star leg-spinner in such devastating form, they will be a formidable opponent for any team.
Root concluded by reiterating his belief in the squad. "This is why we play the game, for nights like this and for the big games coming up," he said. "We've shown great character to get here, and we've got a squad full of match-winners. Rehan was brilliant tonight, but this was a proper team effort from one to eleven."
As the Trent Rockets celebrate their hard-fought victory, the cricketing world is once again abuzz with talk of Rehan Ahmed. And while his captain preaches patience, the young all-rounder’s compelling performances are making it increasingly difficult to look away.