(Image Source: ECB)
[Saba Sports News] Farhan Ahmed, a 15-year-old off-spinner and younger brother of England leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, has been named in England’s 15-member squad for the Under-19 Cricket World Cup starting in January 2024 in South Africa. He played for Nottinghamshire Second XI in the 2023 season.
The squad features several players with cricketing lineage, including Jaydn Denly, nephew of ex-England Test batter Joe Denly, Haydon Mustard, son of former England wicketkeeper Phil Mustard, and Luc Benkenstein, son of ex-South Africa batter and current coach Dale Benkenstein.
England’s sole Under-19 World Cup victory dates back to 1998, a team that included Rob Key and Graeme Swann. In the 2022 edition, they reached the final but were defeated by India.
The tournament, initially planned in Sri Lanka, was relocated to South Africa due to Sri Lanka Cricket’s suspension by the ICC. England’s group stage opponents are Scotland, South Africa, and West Indies.
The England Under-19 World Cup squad includes Ben McKinney (captain), Luc Benkenstein, Farhan Ahmed, Tazeem Ali, Charlie Allison, Charlie Barnard, Jack Carney, Jaydn Denly, Eddie Jack, Dominic Kelly, Sebastian Morgan, Haydon Mustard, Hamza Shaikh, Noah Thain, and Theo Wylie.