England coach McCullum backs teenage sensation Ahmed to 'wow the world' after stunning Test debut

Brendon McCullum believes England’s teenage sensation Rehan Ahmed can return home from his shock Test debut against Pakistan and ‘wow’ the cricket world.

McCullum, who has overseen a remarkable turnaround in England’s fortunes since taking over at the start of last summer, ended the historic tour by praising an 18-year-old who took seven wickets in the whitewash that completes third Test win in Karachi.

‘It’s a good story,’ said the England coach before returning home to New Zealand ‘for a bit of golf and a few glasses of red’.

England coach Brendon McCullum (right) praised teenager Rehan Ahmed

‘He’s a kid but has a massive attitude, a high ceiling, a bit of an x-factor and the potential to wow the world which is pretty cool.

‘To see that at such a young age and do what he’s done is amazing. It also became an important thing for the group. When Rehan got his cap and we saw what it meant there were quite a few emotional people in the dressing room. It means so much.’

The key now is what’s next for a gifted all-round prospect who has long been on England’s radar since emerging from the Leicestershire academy after, in an unusual return, moving from their bigger neighbors in Nottinghamshire.

The 18-year-old took seven wickets in the whitewash that completed Karachi’s third Test win

Paul Nixon, the Leicestershire coach, has been working in Pakistan and told the talkSPORT podcast Following On that his county’s attempts to provide turn pitches to suit Ahmed and their ‘No1’ spinner Callum Parkinson were frowned the ECB. But they will continue to give him every opportunity possible in the first team.

Ahmed could be left out of the Test squad to tour New Zealand in February, and England do not believe the experience he needs now needs to be in first-class cricket so he will also enter Friday’s Indian Premier League auction with McCullum’s blessing.

‘We need to keep an eye on him and encourage him to get as much experience in the conditions and franchise tournaments as possible with different coaches and players to allow that talent to emerge,’ McCullum said.

The teenage sensation wrote his name on the honors board at the Karachi National Stadium

‘To see a kid given the chance at 18 to live his dream and dominate a Test match is a great message to other talented youngsters who can excel in multiple sports. Maybe someone will spark them and we will see others come by. If that happens, Rehan will be a pioneer.’

The New Zealander was also full of praise for his captain Ben Stokes who, he revealed, is struggling with the virus that has affected the England camp to a greater degree than they did in a crucial series.

‘Stokesey was incredibly ill in the second game but he didn’t talk about it,’ said McCullum. ‘He’s just worried about the other guys, trying to figure out who’s going to be on the field. Jack Leach is crooked and a bit of a non-starter but Ben goes into his room and says ‘you’re playing. I will miss you. We really need you in the team because you are very important to us’. That’s a very powerful message.’

Ahmed even managed to blast the bat at the end of the third day in Karachi

McCullum has clearly played a big part in what is becoming one of the most important developments in Test history alongside Stokes after Rob Key’s masterstroke in bringing England together near their lowest ebb.

But, as usual, he is reluctant to take any credit for his role as he prepares for his downtime before England come to his native New Zealand for those two Tests.

‘I do everything to be honest,’ insisted McCullum. ‘I’ll stay on track but if the players’ confidence drops, I just remind them what gives them their biggest chance and make sure they’re happy.’

McCullum makes sure the whole of English cricket is happy.