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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Cameron Ponsonby

Brendon McCullum talks up Rehan Ahmed’s IPL chances after dream England Test debut

England head coach Brendon McCullum will encourage teen sensation Rehan Ahmed to play "as much franchise cricket" as possible.

Ahmed took a five-wicket haul on debut here in Karachi, as he became the youngest men's Test cricketer in England's history.

And while captain Ben Stokes wanted to focus on the 18-year-old all-rounder's performance in this Test, McCullum was prepared to speak more broadly.

"It would be great if he [played in the IPL]," said McCullum. "Why not give him the opportunity to rub shoulders with other players and pick up those experiences?

“What other 18-year-old is going to get those chances? He's a fully-fledged international cricketer."

It is an early example of the balancing act England must strike in the development of Ahmed, whose international debut came after playing just three first-class games.

Record-breaker: Rehan Ahmed is the youngest man ever to play Test cricket for England (Getty Images)

"The important thing now is we continue to look after him," added McCullum. "I'll encourage him to play as much franchise [cricket] and get as many experiences around the globe.

“Whatever we can do to try and increase his ability to learn and help him develop. His attitude is brilliant."

Stokes added: "We won't be putting more pressure on him; try to take as much of it off him as we can, and just continue to let him get better and better, because he's not the finished article."

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